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• . » rtw- •- . . .' ' 



THE DIAMOND KING 


AND 


THE LITTLE MAN IN GRAY 






As Elsa gazed about her, she heard the rustle of tiny feet 
Fuontisiukce, See Page 17. 


THE DIAMOND 
KING and THE 
LITTLE MAN 
IN GRAY ^ 

By LILY F. WESSELHOEFT 

Author of Ready the Reliable’" 
‘‘Sparrow the Tramp” 
“Jack the Fire T>ogfetc, 


Illustrated f r o m Drawings by 
CLARA E. ATWOOD 

Boston dfe LITTLE, BROWN, ^ CO, ^ | 


UftRARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDles Recelvad 


SEP laOT 


Cooynrht Entry 



Sep 2-1 \({61 

CLASS A XXc., No. V 
COPY B. 


COPYRIGHT, 1907, 

By Little, Brown, and Company. 


All rights reserved 


Published September, 1907 



Printed by COLONIAL PRESS: 
C. H. Simonds &• Co., Boston, U.S.A. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Christmas Tree .... 1 

II. Elsa sees the Palace of the 

Diamond King 20 

III. Elsa makes the Acquaintance 

OF AN Amiable Giant . . 37 

IV. The Giant leaves Elsa at the 

Boundary Line of the 


Land of the Midday Moon 54 

V. Elsa becomes a Prisoner in 

Gnome-land 71 

VI. Elsa finds Herself once more 

Free 89 

VII. Elsa reaches the Land of the 

Midday Moon 105 


VIII. Elsa becomes a Giant Baby 

AND MEETS AN OLD FrIEND 119 


VI 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 


IX, Elsa at last leaves the Land of the Midday 

Moon 135 

X. Elsa reaches the Land of the Starlit-Day . 147 

XI. Elsa escapes from the Crystal Labyrinth . . 162 

XII. The Little Racket-man guides the Vessel 

SAFELY 177 

XIII. Elsa passes through the Mountain and meets 

King Rondo 192 

XIV. Elsa is shown the Wonders of King Rondo’s 

Domains 207 

XV. King Rondo tells a Story 221 

XVI. The Diamond King is confronted by the Little 

Gray Man and Elsa 238 



FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

As Elsa gazed about her, she heard the rustle 

of tiny feet Frontispiece 

In tumbled the group of royal children 75 . 

As they neared the vessel, Elsa leaned far over 

the side 187 

His long royal robes were wafted out behind, 

and his diamond crown fell off 208^ 

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT 

Putzel loved to coast 6 

The boat glided swiftly through the clear water 24 

The giant had picked Elsa up and placed her 

upon one of his great forefingers 41 

The litter was placed upon the sturdy shoulders 

of the body-guard 68 

Elsa gave each a smart shake 87 

The giant nianaged to catch her before she 

touched the ground 102 

Elsa and Putzel slid down the slippery surface 116 

The giantess was very fond of singing to Elsa 127 

The rabbit was off 142 

She found herself borne along 153 

He put spurs to his steed 171 


It took the shape of a ship with all her sails set 182 

The nimble sprite escaped Elsa’s watchfulness 197 

She gave the cradle a parting shake 228 

Elsa took the flower 251 

She was lying in her own little bed 255 


The Diamond King* 

AND 

The Little Man in Gray 

CHAPTER I 

THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

Tj^LSA lived in Germany until she was 
eight years old, when her parents came 
back to America, which was their former 
home. Everything in the new country seemed 
strange to Elsa, and for a time she was 
homesick for the home across the water. 
She had no brothers or sisters, and she lived 
in the country, which was a great contrast to 
her old home in the midst of a large city with 
its stirring life all about her. 

Elsa was sure she should never feel con- 

1 


THE DIAMOND KING 


tented to pass the long winter in the new 
home. ^^Why in Germany, every time I 
looked out of the window I saw more people 
than I could count, and here when I look out 
I seldom see a soul, and the trees are all bare, 
and it does not look pretty at all,’’ Elsa said 
to one of her schoolmates. 

“You just wait till the snow comes, and 
we have sleighrides and coasting and skating! 
Did you ever skate? ” responded her playmate. 

“Yes, I used to skate in the rink,” replied 
Elsa. “ I know all about that, it was splendid.” 

“A rink isn’t any fun,” replied the school 
mate. “You’ll see what fun it will be to 
skate on the pond. They build great fires 
there to warm themselves by when it is very 
cold. And you ought to see it evenings! 
I went one evening with my brother, and it 
was just elegant, all lighted up by the great 
bonfires.” 

“I should think that would be nice,” said 
Elsa. 


2 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


Coasting is better sport I think. We 
begin away up on the top of the hill back of 
the pond, and then we come down like light- 
ning and we go halfway across the pond before 
we stop. Did you coast in Germany? 

^^No, I never did. We didn^t have much 
snow in the part of Germany where we lived.’’ 

^^Well, then, you can’t talk,” replied the 
schoolmate. 

Elsa began to realize that there were some 
advantages to be found in America after all, 
and looked forward to the first snowstorm 
eagerly. When it came, however, it was 
such a surprise to her that she didn’t know 
how to express her wonder and admiration. 
Such masses of the beautiful white snow she 
had never imagined. In a short time the 
branches of the trees and shrubs were heavily 
laden with it, and deep drifts were piled high 
on every side. It was a beautiful sight from 
the window, but when the storm was over 
Elsa put on her warmest clothing and went 
3 


THE DIAMOND KING 


out into the crisp clear air. Then the fun 
really began, and Elsa had no further longing 
for her former city home. Snow houses, 
snow men, and snow forts were the order 
of the day, and then, as soon as the snow 
was worn down sufficiently, the coast was 
pronounced ready. 

It was exciting beyond anything Elsa had 
ever experienced to coast on her own little 
sled, but when the boys introduced a double 
runner upon the coast the height of excite- 
ment was reached. Elsa, as we have said, 
had no brothers or sisters, but she had a con- 
stant companion in her little dog Putzel, an 
intelligent little mongrel that she had brought 
with her from Germany. Putzel knew a 
great many tricks, and it was a never-ending 
amusement for Elsa’s friends to have her 
exhibit him, because Elsa talked to him in 
German, as Putzel had been taught in that 
language and would have become uncertain 
if addressed in English. Putzel was a bright 
4 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


little fellow and had become so accustomed 
to the new language he heard talked by 
everybody about him that he was very popular 
with Elsa’s friends. 

Putzel did not enjoy the snow so much as 
his little mistress did, for his hair was thin 
and his feet tender, and it made Elsa unhappy 
to see him, while she was coasting or skating, 
either standing about shivering or trying 
to bite off the lumps of ice that clung to his 
small feet. Elsa explained this to her mother, 
when she had left him at home one day, and 
the little dog had passed the whole of the 
time she was gone in looking out of the window 
and crying softly to himself. The result was 
a warm woolen blanket and some woolen 
stockings for his feet, and although his cos- 
tume created much amusement among the 
girls and some ridicule from the boys on his 
first appearance in them on the coast, they 
all declared it a very sensible arrangement. 

Putzel loved to coast. He sat in Elsa’s lap 

5 


THE DIAMOND KING 



with his small black nose tilted upwards, not 
to lose any of the invigorating air, and his ears 
blowing straight out behind, as the wind 
whistled about them on the swift journey. 
Often different children borrowed him to 
coast with them, and the little dog felt highly 
complimented at the distinction. 

Before long talk of Christmas was in the 

6 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


air. Every child told about his Christmas. 
Some hung up stockings, others found their 
presents at their places at the breakfast table 
on Christmas morning, and a few had trees. 
Elsa had thought that Christmas trees were a 
part of the day, and that Christmas could 
not be Christmas without one. “ Don^t they 
ever have any dear Christchild in this coun- 
try to send you presents?” asked Elsa in 
surprise. 

I used to think there was a Santa Claus 
when I was a little girl,” replied the friend 
with whom Elsa was walking home from coast- 
ing one day, “but I know better now. It is 
our fathers and mothers who dress up the tree 
for us and put the presents there.” 

“How do you know they do it?” asked 
Elsa in great surprise. 

“ Because last Christmas I stole downstairs 
long after I went to bed, and I heard voices 
in the parlor and it was only Father and 
Mother, because I heard them just as plain, 
7 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and I heard them talking about the presents 
they had for me. If Santa Claus had brought 
them, they wouldn’t have known anything 
about them, you see, because he wouldn’t have 
come till they had gone to bed.” 

^^Well, the fathers and mothers don’t do 
it in Germany,” replied Elsa decidedly. The 
dear Christchild sends the presents because 
he loves all children so much, and he tells 
St. Nicholas to bring the tree and hang the 
lights and things on it.” 

I don’t believe it,” replied the friend. It 
is the fathers and mothers who do it just the 
same there, only they try to make you think 
it is St. Nicholas.” 

It may be here, in this country,” answered 
Elsa firmly, ^^but I am positive it isn’t so in 
Germany. Why you can hear St. Nicholas 
moving about just before the tree is lighted, 
and he moves just as softly as anything, so 
people sha’n’t hear him. Why I know it is 
St. Nicholas, because I’ve seen him! There 
8 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

now! And he told me his very self that the 
dear Christchild sent him because I had tried 
to be a good girl/^ 

I saw a Santa Claus once at a party/^ said 
the friend, but I don’t believe it was really 
Santa Claus himself, only somebody dressed 
up to look like him.” 

“Oh dear me!” exclaimed Elsa, “if they 
don’t really have any St. Nicholas in this 
country I shall be awfully disappointed!” 

When, however, Elsa repeated this con- 
versation at home, her mother told her not 
to be troubled about it, — that the dear 
Christchild would not forget her in America 
any more than in Germany, and that in these 
days of fast sailing ships and ocean grey- 
hounds, St. Nicholas would find it easy enough 
to come to this country. “Wait and see, 
my child,” said Mother. “You will find that 
at Christmas time everything will be as it 
was in your old home.” 

“I hope it will,” said Elsa, “for if there 

9 


THE DIAMOND KING 


were no St. Nicholas I should be dreadfully 
disappointed, and so would Putzel too, for 
he knows all about it, you know. Why he 
has seen St. Nicholas and he patted him too!” 

As Christmas drew near Elsa thought more 
and more of the subject. She believed that 
her mother knew best, but still what her 
little friend had told her made a great 
impression upon her, and she could not 
help fearing that after all she might be right, 
that St. Nicholas did not come to this country. 
The same friend also told her that there are 
no fairies in America either, and that too was 
a great disappointment, for every German 
child, no matter how young, knows that there 
are fairies. “If they have so many of them 
in Germany, why canT they have them here?” 
thought Elsa. “Perhaps they do, only the 
American children donT know where to find 
them. Perhaps it is because they have so 
much snow here, and the fairies donT like 
cold weather.” 


10 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


At last the day before Christmas came, and 
the folding doors to the large parlors were 
kept tightly locked. Whenever Elsa passed, 
she stopped and listened, that she might find 
out who was dressing the tree. She could 
learn nothing however, for whoever it was 
moved about very softly. ^^That is just the 
way St. Nicholas used to do,’’ whispered Elsa 
to Putzel whom she held up to the crack of 
the door that he might hear too; and Putzel 
pricked up his ears and wagged his tail as he 
always did when he heard the steps of any- 
body he knew, so Elsa felt pretty sure it was 
St. Nicholas. 

On one of the occasions while Elsa was 
listening at the door, it was opened quietly, 
just enough for a hand covered with a fur 
glove to appear and throw out a handful of 
confectionery. Then Elsa was sure, for St. 
Nicholas always wore a fur glove like that. 

At last the sun went down, and after the 
rose-colored clouds had changed to a faint 
11 


THE DIAMOND KING 


violet hue, they too gave place to a dark sky 
studded with bright stars. Elsa had been 
eagerly watching for the stars, for when they 
appeared the time for the Christmas tree 
came. Elsa, with Putzel in her arms, took 
her place before the closed doors of the parlor, 
that she might not lose one precious minute 
while the candles on the tree were burning. 

At last the doors were thrown wide open, 
and there was the tree, a real German Christ- 
mas tree such as they had in Elsa^s old home, 
— with an image of the loving Christchild 
smiling down upon her from the topmost 
branch, golden apples and silver nuts hanging 
from the drooping branches, and the whole 
tree ablaze with candles and shining tinsel. 
On one side of the tree was a table piled high 
with presents for Elsa, and there was another 
smaller one for Putzel, on which lay a soft 
bright colored blanket and some tempting ar- 
ticles of food, that were known to be espe- 
cially to his taste. 


12 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


While Elsa was admiring the beautiful tree, 
and before she had even thought of examining 
her presents, a sudden jingle of sleigh bells 
was heard, and a great stamping, as if some 
one were trying to shake the snow from his 
boots. At the sound Elsa turned pale with 
excitement, but Putzel pricked up his ears. 
It was just the very way St. Nicholas used 
to come, and now there was not the least 
doubt in Elsa^s mind. When he appeared 
brushing the snow off his heavy fur coat and 
long white beard, even Putzel remembered 
him and ran up to him as he did when he met 
anybody of whom he was fond. He sniffed 
about his clothes to make sure it was really 
St. Nicholas, and then he jumped upon him 
and barked for joy. 

Elsa, although not afraid of St. Nicholas, 
did not feel so familiar with him as Putzel 
did, for who could help feeling some awe of a 
mysterious and powerful being, who made 
nothing of appearing at one hour at a Christ- 
13 


THE DIAMOND KING 


mas tree in Germany, and the next minute 
at one in America? St. Nicholas, however, 
was as genial and happy as ever, and at once 
addressed Elsa in his cheery tones : 

'^Well, little maiden, so you thought St. 
Nicholas did not come to America?^’ 

was afraid you didn’t,^’ replied Elsa, 
because it is so far. Would you mind telling 
me how you managed to come so quickly?’^ 

^^Oh, I just stepped across!’’ replied St. 
Nicholas. I can take pretty long steps 
when I try.” 

St. Nicholas looked so cheerful and had such 
a merry twinkle in his eye, that although Elsa 
could see very little of his face on account of 
his long white hair and beard, it was im- 
possible to be afraid of him, and after she 
had once spoken she felt quite at ease. 

^^Do you dress all the Christmas trees in 
this country the same as you do in Germany? ” 
asked Elsa. 

Surely you must know that,” replied St. 

14 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


Nicholas; ^^but I don’t take the trouble to 
show myself to children who do not believe 
in me/’ 

Perhaps they would be afraid of you/’ 
said Elsa, '^but it would be very foolish of 
them.” 

^^It is foolish,” replied St. Nicholas, ^^and 
they don’t know how much pleasure they 
lose.” 

Elsa thought this would be a good time to 
find out about the fairies, for certainly St. 
Nicholas must know about them, so she 
said: 

Would you please tell me if there are any 
fairies in this country?” 

Surely there are fairies here as in Germany, 
only the children here do not know where to 
look for them,” replied St. Nicholas. 

wish I knew where they live,” said 
Elsa. I have looked everywhere, but I 
haven’t found any. Once I thought I saw 
one peeping out of an empty bird’s nest, 
15 


THE DIAMOND KING 


but it was so high up that I couldn’t be 
sure.” 

“You must look sharp and perhaps some 
day you will see one/’ answered St. Nicholas; 
“but little boys and girls are looking out for 
me and I mustn’t stop any longer here. I 
am on my way to take a tree to a poor little 
girl who never had one. I saw her pick up 
a branch somebody had dropped, and she 
said she was going to have it for her tree, so I 
made up my mind that she should have as 
fine a one as I could find. Now good-bye, 
maiden, until next year.” 

In a twinkling St. Nicholas was gone, the 
sleigh bells were once more heard, and when 
the last merry jingle had died away, Elsa 
looked at her presents. 

That night, after she had gone to bed, Elsa 
lay thinking about the Christmas tree, and 
what she should have to tell her friend who 
didn’t believe in St. Nicholas. She did not 
feel at all sleepy, and lay awake long after 
16 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


the other members of the family had gone to 
their rooms. 

wonder how the Christmas tree looks 
after all the lights are out/^ said Elsa to her- 
self. ^^It is such a bright moonlight night 
that it must be almost as bright as daylight 
in the parlor. I believe I will take just one 
look at it.’^ 

So saying Elsa jumped out of bed, put on 
her dressing-gown and slippers, and, calling 
to Putzel, who slept in his basket at the 
foot of her bed, to follow her, stole softly 
down the spacious staircase that led to the 
floor below. The moonbeams lighted up the 
lofty hall, making it as bright as daylight, 
and Elsa peeped into the parlor. What was 
her surprise to find the Christmas tree bril- 
liantly lighted, although there was nobody 
in the room! 

It seemed at the first glance as if there were 
nobody in the room, but as Elsa gazed about 
her she heard the rustle of tiny feet and the 
17 


THE DIAMOND KING 


sound of sweet voices singing. She rubbed 
her eyes to clear her vision, and to her sur- 
prise saw a band of fairies who had joined 
hands and were circling about the tree in 
a merry dance. Listening she caught these 
words: 

“Those who fairies do not fear 
Will find that fairyland is near. 

Be good, fear not, and thou wilt see 
What lies behind the Christmas tree.” 


After chanting these hnes many times, the 
circle was broken, and still holding one 
another's hands, the line of merry dancers 
disappeared behind the Christmas tree. As 
the last one went out of sight, she turned her 
eyes that sparkled with mischief upon Elsa, 
and beckoned with her tiny hand. 

Elsa stood still for some moments, too be- 
wildered to move, gazing at the spot where 
the fairies had disappeared and listening to 
their voices until they died away in the dis- 
18 


THE CHRISTMAS TREE 


tance. Not being a timid child she soon made 
up her mind. 

^^They say fairyland is near, PutzeV’ she 
said to her faithful companion, whose eyes 
quite bulged out of his head with excitement, 
^^so we will start at once.” 

Putzel did not wait for a second bidding, 
and eagerly followed his little mistress to the 
back of the Christmas tree. 


19 


CHAPTER II 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE OF THE DIAMOND KING 
AND STARTS ON HER QUEST OF THE 
LITTLE MAN IN GRAY 



^HE Christmas tree stood in front of the 


^ fireplace, and when Elsa passed behind 
it she found the fireplace filled with green 
boughs. 

Where do you, suppose we go next, Put- 
zel?” asked Elsa. Gazing intently at the 
thick foliage, she saw a faint glimmer through 
the centre of the boughs, and, pushing them 
aside, a brilliantly lighted passageway lay 
before her. Without a momenCs hesitation 
she entered it, the faithful Putzel close upon 
her heels. 

At first Elsa was obliged to close her eyes 
in order to see what was before her, but by 


20 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


degrees she became accustomed to the light. 
She then discovered that the passageway 
was made of some shining substance that 
reflected every object like a mirror, and on 
either side and overhead were many Elsas 
followed closely by little Putzels. Those 
above seemed to be walking on their heads, 
and had a comical effect. 

Elsa continued on her way for some time, 
accompanied by the numerous reflections of 
herself and her four-footed companion, and 
meeting nobody. 

Everything was so still, and the passageway 
seemed so endless, that Elsa began to feel 
uneasy, and found herself wondering if it 
would keep on this way forever, and if she 
would ever meet anybody. No sooner was 
the thought formed in her mind, than she 
heard a voice chant : 

“ Only the patient and brave as well 
Can reach the land where the fairies dwell.’’ 

21 


THE DIAMOND KING 


And Elsa took heart and went boldly on 
her way. At last a faint sound of rushing 
water fell upon her ears, which as she pro- 
ceeded grew louder and louder, and soon she 
came to a cascade of foaming, sparkling water. 
She cautiously approached the edge and 
looked over. As far as she could see the 
cascade was endless, and the waters splashed 
and sparkled and foamed like a herd of white 
horses running races. 

“Well, this certainly is the end,^’ said Elsa 
aloud. “I can never go down that cascade, 
and I haven’t seen any fairies or giants or any 
such people. We shall have to go back again 
after all, Putzel, without seeing Fairyland.” 

As soon as she ceased speaking the same 
voice repeated : 

“Only the patient and brave as well 
Can reach the land where the fairies dwell.’’ 

Then Elsa once more resolved to be brave 
and patient. No sooner was the resolve 
22 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


formed in her mind, than she heard a gentle 
splash of oars in the water, and bending over 
the cascade she beheld a tiny craft approach- 
ing. The fragile boat was manned by elves 
who bent over their slender reed oars as they 
propelled the boat up the steep mountain 
of waters. When they reached the top they' 
stopped at Elsa’s feet and unshipped their oars. 
Then Elsa saw that there was a seat in the 
stern evidently intended for her, and taking 
Putzel in her arms she fearlessly stepped 
aboard. No sooner had she taken her seat and 
leaned against the cushions of thistle-down, 
than the boat at once headed down stream and 
glided swiftly onward. Rapidly as they shot 
down, Elsa felt no fear and no dizziness, and 
after some moments the boat entered a lake 
so transparent, that Elsa, leaning over the 
side, beheld fishes of the most gorgeous colors 
swimming even in its lowest depths. Then 
the elves shipped their oars, and the boat 
glided swiftly through the clear water. 

23 


The shore on either side was 
lined with beautiful groves of 
graceful palms, ferns, and rich 
tropical flowers, while trailing 
vines hung from the tallest palms, 
in many of which fairies and elves 
were swinging. Others chased one 
another about among the thick 
foliage of ferns, or played hide 
and seek among the gay flowers. 
At times a fairy craft weighted 
with merry elves passed them, 
24 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


their voices ringing over the clear water like 
tuneful bells, and again a fragile nautilus, 
with its fairy sails set, glided swiftly by. All 
the fairy folk seemed full of good will toward 
one another, and brimful of mirth and gayety. 
Elsa found herself as light hearted as any of 
them, and longed to join in their sports. 

At last the boat glided up to the shore and 
stopped before a flight of marble steps. Elsa 
and Putzel at once stepped ashore and ascend- 
ing the steps found themselves in a broad 
street made of diamond dust. The sidewalks 
were of emerald dust, and the curbstones 
bars of solid gold. In the distance rose a 
palace that glistened in the bright sunlight 
and shot out rays that nearly blinded Elsa^s 
eyes. 

Not a living creature was in sight, and 
Elsa hurried toward the shining palace. As 
she came nearer she discovered that it was 
made entirely of diamonds, while the court- 
yard surrounding it was flagged with solid 
25 


THE DIAMOND KING 


blocks of amethyst. Back and forth in the 
courtyard walked gnome sentinels, and Elsa 
ventured no nearer than the entrance, where 
on either side were diamond pillars, each 
with a large ruby on top, in place of the cannon 
ball Elsa had often seen on stone pillars at 
home. 

While Elsa stood admiring the beautiful 
structure and the dazzling rays of light that 
came from the precious stones, she heard 
footsteps on the emerald walk behind her, 
and turning quickly, beheld a little girl of 
about her own age. She seemed as much 
surprised to see Elsa as Elsa was to see 
her, and both looked at one another for 
a while. Elsa, not being shy, was the first 
to speak. 

“Will you tell me where I am?’^ she asked 
politely. 

“ This is the domain of the Diamond 
King,’^ replied the little girl, “and this is his 
palace.^^ 


26 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


must be very rich to have so many 
diamonds that he can build a whole palace 
of them/^ said Elsa. 

^^They do not cost him anything/^ replied 
the little girl. ^^He gets them from the 
diamond mines. The mines belong to him 
and he can take as many as he wants. 

“Are all the streets and sidewalks in this 
country made as these are?^’ asked Elsa, 
looking at the glistening street and sidewalk 
before her. 

“No, indeed they are not,’^ replied the little 
girl sadly; “it is only here in front of the 
palace that the street is so beautiful. The 
town is very different.’’ 

“ Why is it so silent here, and why is nobody 
to be seen?” asked Elsa. “As I came in the 
fairy boat the groves on the shores were full 
of fairies and elves at play, and every one 
seemed so happy. Here everything is silent, 
and it is gloomy to see nobody about.” 

“The fairies and elves never come here,” 

27 


THE DIAMOND KING 


answered the little girl, ^^and how can you 
look happy when you know you may have to 
go to the diamond mines any day?’^ 

^^Is that so very terrible?’^ asked Elsa. 
should think it would be a beautiful sight to 
see all the diamonds sparkling; and then it 
would be an easy matter to pick up a handful 
and make yourself rich for life.’^ 

see you don^t know anything about it/^ 
said the little girl. ^^It is the children like 
you and me who are sent to the diamond 
mines, because they can go into places where 
grown-up people cannot; and they have to 
work, oh, so hard, and never go home to their 
fathers and mothers again.’’ 

^^How dreadful!” exclaimed Elsa indig- 
nantly. should think that the Diamond 
King ought to be ashamed of himself!” 

Oh, hush! ” cried the little girl with a ter- 
rified air. Somebody might hear you, and 
then you would surely be sent there your- 
self.” 


28 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


^^You have never been there, have you?’^ 
asked Elsa, having looked about her to be 
sure that she was not overheard. 

^^No, but my two brothers were sent there 
last week, and my turn may come any day;” 
and the little girl wept softly that she might 
not be overheard. 

^^How dreadful this is!” cried Elsa, the 
tears running down her cheeks as she thought 
of the children taken from their homes and 
sent to work in the diamond mines. I shall 
not rest until I have found the queen of the 
fairies and begged her to stop it.” 

don^t see how she can,” said the little 
girl, ^^for they say that the royal children 
need a quantity of diamonds, and that the 
Diamond King himself will use only the 
largest diamond balls in his bowling alley and 
on his tennis court.” 

Fairies can do anything,” replied Elsa 
decidedly. ^^If St. Nicholas could come all 
the way from Germany for just one evening, 
29 


THE DIAMOND KING 


I am sure that the queen of the fairies could 
make the Diamond King stop sending poor 
little children to work in the diamond mines. 
I shall start this very minute/’ 

And Elsa, who never lost any time when 
once her mind was made up, walked quickly 
back to the marble steps, followed closely by 
Putzel. She had read in story books that the 
fairies should always be addressed in verse, 
and although she had never made a verse in 
her life she felt she must do so. After think- 
ing about it awhile she called aloud : 

^‘Come, friendly elves, I prithee take 
Me o’er the waters of this lake, 

Through magic lands of silvery sheen, 

That I may find the fairy queen.” 

No sooner were the words spoken than she 
heard the gentle splash of oars, and the fairy 
craft that had brought her there came into 
sight. It floated up to the steps, and Elsa 
and Putzel stepping aboard, the boat glided 
30 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


rapidly away in an opposite direction from 
the one in which they had come. 

For a long time they sped swiftly over the 
placid lake, the elves plying their light oars 
vigorously, but not a sound escaped their 
lips. On the shore were the same beautiful 
groves, and occasionally they passed a band 
of sportive fairies. At last the boat left 
the lake and passed through a succession of 
grottoes brilliantly lighted and ablaze with 
precious stones and hanging crystals that re- 
flected the light in rainbow hues. The last 
of the grottoes was much larger and much 
more brilliant than any of the others, and at 
the back of it was a beautiful fountain whose 
falling waters were of the most delicate hues. 
The boat glided up to the fountain and then 
stopped. 

Elsa gazed intently at the falling water, for 
she was sure that she was about to hear 
something of the fairy queen. After a while 
a thin white cloud of mist was seen to rise in 
31 


THE DIAMOND KING 


the centre of the fountain, back of the falling 
water. Gradually the cloud of mist assumed 
the shape of a tiny figure, and at last a most 
beautiful fairy, wearing a starry crown, ap- 
peared. Elsa gazed in silence, too awe-struck 
to speak; but the fairy queen smiled so 
sweetly upon her that all her fear vanished. 
At last the fairy , queen spoke in a tone that 
sounded like the gentle splashing of the 
waters of the fountain as they struck the calm 
bosom of the lake : 


“ Maiden, ’tis seldom mortals come 
To seek us in our fairy home; 

But boldly speak and have no fear, 

And say what 'tis that brings thee here.^^ 


And Elsa replied : 

“Queen of Fairyland so fair, 

I pray thee listen to my prayer. 

In dianiond mines far under ground 
Many children may be found. 

32 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


There they toil their lives away 
And never see the light of day. 

Wilt thou not stop this grievous thing 
Done by the cruel Diamond King?’’ 

The fairy queen sorrowfully made answer: 

Maiden dear, I know it well, 

No power have I to break the spell. 

But be thou not disconsolate. 

These words stand in the book of fate: 

' Freeing those toiling children can 
Be done but by the Little Gray Man, 

If mortal child fears not to go 
To seek him in the After Glow.’ 

Then, maiden, hast thou heart so brave. 

Thou canst the little children save.” 


Elsa did not hesitate a moment, but at 
once replied : 

will do all that mortal may 
To seek the Little Man in Gray. 

Through prairies, woods, and seas I’ll go 
To reach the land of the After Glow.” 

33 


THE DIAMOND KING 

Then the fairy queen made answer: 

see thou art as brave as kind, 

But many dangers thou wilt find. 

Through desert wastes thou’lt have to go, 
O’er trackless seas, and hills of snow. 

Lands where giants and dwarfs abide,^ 
Fierce beasts, mayhap, on every side; 
Think, maiden, ere it is too late; 

Hast thou the will for such a fate?’’ 

And Elsa answered boldly : 

“ I have quite made up my mind 
The land of the After Glow to find.” 

Then the fairy queen Replied : 

“Maiden, kind and brave, ’tis well. 

And I’ll give thee a fairy spell. 

Take this silken thread and know 
’Twill lead thee to the After Glow. 

Fare thee well, O maid most dear. 

What thou mayst find there, have no fear.” 


With these words the fairy queen cast a 

34 


ELSA SEES THE PALACE 


silken thread at Elsa’s feet, and grasping it 
in one hand, and giving Putzel an encouraging 
pat on the head, she set forth. 

The fairy boat had disappeared, and Elsa 
took her way among the waving palms and 
gay flowers. Occasionally a few strains of 
fairy music reached her ears, and at times a 
tiny face peeped up at her from a bright 
blossom, while now and then a graceful form 
flitted across her path. Elsa would have 
liked to stop and converse with these fairy 
beings or listen to the lovely music, but when- 
ever such a thought entered her mind a gentle 
twitch of her silken thread reminded her of 
the task she had undertaken. So on and on 
went the child, cheered by her faithful friend 
Putzel, and thinking of the poor children at 
work in the diamond mines and of the happi- 
ness in store for them when the Little Man in 
Gray should have broken the spell that bound 
them to the Diamond King. 

Elsa’s feet were becoming tired and she 

35 


THE DIAMOND KING 


was very hungry. She wondered if it were 
not possible to find something for herself and 
Putzel to eat, when she suddenly came upon 
a palace, the most remarkable structure it 
was possible to imagine. 


36 


CH.APTER III 


ELSA MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF AN 

a:miable giant who helps her on 

HER JOURNEY 

T^LSA could hardly believe the evidence 

of her eyes. She felt obhged to go up 
to the castle and touch it before she was 
certain. Then she had no doubt about it. 
The walls were made entirely of cake, each 
turret of a different kind, while the roofs were 
of choice confectionery and the windows of 
gUstening spun sugar. Everything is pos- 
sible in Fairyland, and Elsa lost no time in 
wondering how such a castle could be built, 
for the cake seemed very fresh and had a 
most dehcious odor. She at once set Putzel 
gnawing the front doorsteps, while she broke 
off a good sized piece of fruit cake from one 
of the walls. 


37 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Before Elsa had eaten half a dozen mouth- 
fuls a sudden rumbling was heard, and the 
earth shook until the walls of the castle 
trembled. Elsa had heard of earthquakes 
and thought this was surely one. She soon 
found herself mistaken, however, for a mo- 
ment later she heard a great voice say : 

Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, 
whom have we here?” 

Elsa was almost too frightened to breathe, 
as she saw a gigantic figure coming toward 
her. His head, on which he wore an odd 
sort of hood, towered far above the tallest 
trees, and in his hand he carried a staff that 
had once been a tall hemlock tree. At every 
step the earth trembled, and he stopped di- 
rectly in front of the castle off which Elsa 
and Putzel were lunching. 

Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, 
whom have we here?” he asked again; and 
his breath as he spoke raised such a wdnd 
that Elsa was nearly blown away by it. As 
38 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

for Putzel, one glance at the gigantic figure 
before him convinced him that it boded mis- 
chief to his little mistress, and he instantly 
flew at him with great ferocity. To be sure 
he could only reach to the gianPs ankles, 
but he hung upon those and shook himself 
with such fury in his efforts to shake the 
giant, that he was soon out of breath. The 
giant merely changed the position of his feet, 
exclaiming : 

Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, 
but the mosquitoes are thick this day!’^ 
Then bending down to obtain a glimpse of 
his feet, he burst into a loud laugh as he 
caught sight of the little dog worrying his 
ankles. 

The laugh was a good-natured one, but it 
shook the tall trees until they bent like 
aspens in a whirlwind, and it whistled 
through the branches like a storm among the 
shrouds of a ship at sea. Yet in spite of 
this, Elsa had overcome her first fear of 
39 


THE DIAMOND KING 


him, for his face, although grotesque and 
stupid, had a kindly expression. 

Whence comest thou, maiden, and 
whither goest thou?” he asked in a voice 
that he tried to make soft and low, but which 
with all he could do sounded like the roll of 
distant thunder. 

Then Elsa told the giant about the path 
that led from behind her Christmas tree, and 
of the Diamond King and the poor children 
doomed to work in the underground diamond 
mines in order to furnish jewels for the royal 
family, and of her resolve to seek the Little 
Man in Gray and implore him to release 
them. She related her interview with the 
fairy queen, and her reply that she was power- 
less to aid her. Then she told him that the 
only chance of breaking the power of the 
cruel Diamond King was for a mortal child 
to go to the Land of the After Glow and 
appeal to the Little Man in Gray. 

The giant had picked Elsa up and placed 
40 


lELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 



her upon one of his great fore- 
fingers, that he might hear 
what she said, for he towered 
so high above her that her voice 
as she stood on the ground 
sounded to him no louder than 
the murmuring of the wind 
among the branches of the 
trees. 

“Right truly did the fairy 
queen speak, said the giant, 
“for we great giants, and the 
fairies and elves, and even the 
tricky dwarfs are all under 
the rule of the Little Man in 
41 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Gray. Dost know the way to the After 
Glow, maiden? 

“'No” replied Elsa, ''but the fairy queen 
gave me this silken cord which she said 
would lead me there. 

"It is a fairy spell, maiden,’^ replied the 
giant. "For thy life let it not go out of thy 
hand. But what dost thou here? Knowest 
thou what manner of being dwells within 
these walls? 

"I do not know,’^ replied Elsa; "but Putzel 
and I were very hungry, and we thought it 
no harm to eat a few mouthfuls.’^ 

"Tis the abode of a wicked fairy, and 
these fair walls are but to entice mortal chil- 
dren, that she may wreak her wicked spells 
upon them. Didst see her red eyes gleam- 
ing through the casements?” 

"I did see a red gleam,” replied Elsa, "but 
I thought it a ray of the setting sun.” 

"It was no sun’s ray, but the fierce glitter 
of her red eyes as she thought she had thee 
42 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

in her grasp; but fear not, maiden, no harm 
shall come to thee. Sit thou upon my hood 
and I will give thee a lift upon thy way. 
Thou canst view the country as we 
So saying, he placed her upon his gigantic 
hood, and she clambered upon one of the 
folds that she might obtain a better view of 
the country. 

Please may I take Putzel with me?^^ 
asked Elsa. “There is plenty of room here, 
and you take such long steps that I am afraid 
he could not keep up with you.^^ 

“Surely,’^ replied the giant, stooping to 
pick up the little dog who had ceased to 
worry his ankles when he found that the 
giant^s intentions toward his mistress were 
of a friendly character. As he held the little 
dog between his thumb and finger to place 
him upon his hood, he was seized with 
another fit of laughter, whereupon the hood 
was shaken so violently that Elsa tumbled 
off the fold upon which she was sitting and 
43 


THE DIAMOND KING 


fell into a deep hollow of the cloth. She 
was not hurt, however, for the cloth vras soft, 
but she was a good deal frightened at the 
sudden jar. She managed to climb up once 
more, Putzel seated himself by her side, and 
off they started. 

The first stride carried them a mile, the 
giant stepping among the forest trees as if 
they were so many bushes. The deepest and 
broadest lakes and rivers were as pools of 
water, and the waves of the ocean, as the 
giant waded through it, foamed and tossed 
below like the ripples of an angry brook. 

^^Dost see the ant-hills down below? 
called the giant as he stepped over what to 
Elsa from her great height seemed like minute 
mounds of earth. Tis a dwarf village. 
Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, I 
fear me I have trodden upon one of their 
huts!” 

The giant had picked his way carefully in 
his attempt to avoid injury to the dwarf 
44 


ELS'A MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

settlement, but his feet were big and clumsy, 
and in spite of his pains, his heel had come 
down upon one of the huts and shattered it 
to atoms. 

Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, 
but the dwarfs will make me pay dear for 
this!^’ exclaimed the giant with a woeful 
expression upon his dull face. 

Surely those little creatures cannot harm 
so large a being as you?’^ said Elsa; ^^and 
after all it was but an accident.’^ 

^^The little folk are tricky and malicious, 
maiden,’^ replied the giant; ^Hhou canst not 
conceive of the extent to which they will go 
to avenge an injury.’^ 

^^But they can be no match for a giant 
like you. Why, up here where I am, they 
look to me like a colony of ants, swarming 
about their ant-hills.’^ 

Their bodies may be small, maiden, but 
our master, the Little Man in Gray, says 
often that it would take a dozen great empty 
45 


THE DIAMOND KING 


heads like mine to hold the brains in one of 
their little heads/’ 

“ I would rather be a little stu — I mean, 
have a little less sense and be good-hearted 
like you, than to be revengeful and tricky 
like them,” answered Elsa. 

The giant was so much pleased at this 
compliment that he forgot that Elsa and 
Putzel were upon his hood, and throwing 
back his big head laughed till the echoes 
rang. Poor Elsa and Putzel were thrown 
violently down by the concussion, and saved 
themselves from falling off the hood only by 
clinging to the folds of the cloth. The giant 
was much mortified by his thoughtlessness, 
and made the most humble apology. 

^^Thou seest, maiden, that our master the 
Little Man in Gray was right. Else would 
I not have forgotten the danger to thee. I 
am but a stupid lout after all, but I will 
serve thee well, for I would not harm the 
weak.” 


46 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

After striding for some hours longer over 
mountains and seas and woodland, even the 
great strength of the giant showed signs of 
fatigue, and stopping at the foot of a moun- 
tain he said: 

I would fain rest awhile, maiden, for it is 
a long and wearisome way to the Land of the 
Midday Moon, and it is beset with dangers. 
We. must reach it before to-morrow’s sun goes 
down. Make thou a meal of the fruits thou 
wilt find growing in yonder grove, and per- 
chance a few crumbs remain over from my 
last meal that will serve for thy little com- 
panion.” 

As the giant spoke he produced from the 
depth of his enormous pocket a handful of 
what he called crumbs, but which were suf- 
ficient for the dinner of a dozen dogs of the 
size of Putzel. 

Then the giant laid himself down for a nap, 
with his head on the top of the high moun- 
tain for a pillow, and his feet on the mossy 
47 


THE DIAMOND KING 


bank of a little stream that flowed a mile or 
so away. In an instant he was snoring so 
loudly that the earth rumbled and shook for 
miles around, and the tallest trees bent and 
shivered as if lashed by a violent tempest. 

Putzel made a hearty meal from the gianPs 
crumbs, and the remainder he left for the 
numerous small quadrupeds and birds with 
which the woods abounded. Then Elsa 
feasted upon some large and juicy plums that 
she found growing upon a tree near by. After 
that the two seated themselves upon the 
ground at a safe distance from the sleeping 
giant, lest the breath from his wide-open 
mouth should blow them off the mountain- 
side. The two were very tired and in a few 
minutes both were fast asleep. Elsa was 
dreaming of the Christmas tree and St. 
Nicholas, when she was awakened by the 
violent barking of Putzel who lay at her feet. 
In an instant she was wide awake and gazing 
anxiously about her. It was twilight, and 
48 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

Elsa could not see very clearly; but following 
the direction of PutzePs eyes, she discerned 
small objects moving among the bushes at 
the foot of the hill. At first, in the distance, 
they looked like a colony of beetles or large 
ants, but as they came nearer she discovered 
that they were tiny men wearing pointed caps 
upon their little heads, and having pointed 
shoes on their little feet with the toes turned 
up. Each one carried a tiny sword at his belt, 
and many had ladders over their sturdy little 
shoulders. On they came by hundreds and 
thousands, swarming silently up the moun- 
tain-side toward the spot where the sleeping 
giant lay* When they reached the summit 
opposite his enormous head, the foremost of 
the band came to a stop and the others 
clustered around them. The king of the 
gnomes, who had a long gray beard and a 
commanding manner, at last issued the order : 

Gnomes, to your work, and mind that ye 
do it well!^^ 


49 


THE DIAMOND KING 


At these words the whole band were in 
motion once more ; ladders were planted 
against the sleeper’s head, arms, and feet, and 
the small beings swarmed up them until the 
giant’s whole body was alive with them. 
Over the huge body they tramped with their 
little pointed shoes, but the sleeper slept on. 
Occasionally he moved his head slightly, as 
one might change his position to avoid a 
troublesome fly ; and sometimes an unusually 
daring gnome, venturing too near the enor- 
mous cavity of the giant’s mouth, would be 
blown away like a bit of thistle-down. 

All this time Putzel was doing his best to 
warn the sleeping giant of the danger that 
threatened him, but his shrill barking made 
no impression upon his dull ears; neither did 
Elsa’s imploring cries. He slept on peace- 
fully, and the gnomes went about their mis- 
chievous work. Soon Elsa understood what 
they were about. They had brought with 
them hundreds of balls of thread as fine as 
50 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 


cobweb, but as strong as good sized cable, 
woven by their looms, of which only the 
gnomes possess the secret. These threads 
they quickly and deftly wove about the body 
of the sleeping giant, until his arms and legs 
were pinned close to his side, and he lay as 
firmly bound and as powerless as a cater- 
pillar in his cocoon. 

When all was done the myriads of gnomes 
clambered down their ladders again, and 
arranged themselves in solid phalanx behind 
the leader, awaiting his commands. 

The gnome king, about the height of a 
spool of silk, drew a fieldglass from a pouch 
that hung at his belt, and adjusting it to his 
eyes, viewed the work of his subjects. 

^^Well have ye wTought, my subjects! 
There shall he lie till the cords that bind him 
rot. If I mistake not, neither summer sun 
nor winter storm will weaken the work of 
our goblin looms.” 

These words struck terror to Elsa’s heart, 

51 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and hastening over to where the king of the 
gnomes stood, she threw herself at his feet. 

^^0 gracious King!’’ she implored, bending 
down towards him, for, although on her knees 
before him, the top of his pointed cap did not 
reach her waist. ^^Have pity on the kind 
giant, and do not leave him to such a fate! 
He did not mean to trample upon your homes, 
indeed he did not. But his feet are so big, 
your Majesty, and your houses are so small! 
Why they look to him no bigger than ant-hills, 
and I know how hard it is to avoid treading 
on them, no matter how I try.” 

Maiden,” replied the gnome king severely, 
^Hhy prayers are useless. Take heed lest 
thou too art made to feel the displeasure of 
the gnomes.” 

^^Oh, do take pity on him, he has been so 
good to me; and he said he felt bad to think 
of harming you.” 

Silence, maiden!” cried the gnome king 
sternly. It is not often that we so forget what 
52 


ELSA MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE 

is due to our dignity as to bandy words with 
such as thou. Gnomes, right about face!^^ 
and, placing himself in front of the army, he 
drew his tiny sword in a martial manner and 
gave the order: 

Shoulder ladders The hundreds of lad- 
ders were quickly raised over the sturdy 
shoulders. 

March The whole army was in motion, 
and descended the mountain as silently as 
they had advanced. 


53 


CHAPTER IV 


THE GIANT LEAVES EI.SA AT THE BOUNDARY 
LINE OF THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 

T ONG after the gnome army had disap- 
' peared down the mountain, Elsa pon- 
dered over the strange events she had just 
witnessed, and tried to form some plan that 
would enable her to extricate the good-hearted 
giant from his difficulty. One plan after an- 
other was given up as useless, and she felt her- 
self powerless to aid the kind friend who had 
been so good to her. In vain she tore at the 
threads that were woven around the giant^s 
huge body, while Putzel worked at them 
with his teeth and claws. They were as firm 
as steel wires, and all their efforts made no 
impression on them. There lay the giant 
securely pinioned in the network in which the 
54 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


dwarfs had placed him, snoring peacefully, 
in ignorance of the dreadful fate prepared 
for him. 

^^It is of no use, Putzel,’’ cried Elsa, stop- 
ping from sheer exhaustion in her work of 
rescue. We can never do it, but how can we 
leave such a kind friend to die here alone?” 

Putzel gave a melancholy howl, to assure 
her that he wouldn^t for a minute think of 
abandoning a friend in that way. Then the 
two forlorn wanderers sat closely together, 
each grieving over the sad situation; but 
overcome with fatigue and loss of sleep, as 
night stole on, they fell into a deep slumber. 

Gradually the dark shadows of the trees 
and bushes became more and more indistinct, 
and at last only intense darkness prevailed, 
while the three sleepers slept peacefully on. 
Then later, in the eastern sky, a faint glimmer 
of light appeared, which spread over the 
heavens as the silvery disc of the full moon 
came gradually into view. Up it rose, higher 
55 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and higher in the sky, until its white rays 
fell across the body of the sleeping giant and 
lighted up the smaller figures of Elsa and 
Putzel. 

Then a strange thing came to pass. From 
out their homes, where they had lain con- 
cealed during the glaring daylight, came all 
the little inhabitants of the forest, — all the 
creatures to whom the great good-natured 
giant had been kind and considerate. Squir- 
rels, field mice, porcupines, woodchucks, long- 
toothed muskrats dripping wet from their 
homes in the neighboring streams, all came 
rustling through the underbrush to the spot 
where the giant lay bound. They all sur- 
rounded their sleeping friend, and their sharp 
teeth were soon at work on the cords that 
bound him. 

One by one the strong threads of the goblin 
looms snapped under the pressure of the 
sharp teeth, as the patient and grateful little 
creatures worked faithfully to free their big 
56 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


friend. The sun was rising over the tree-tops 
when the last cord was severed, and then 
the industrious little workers stole away as 
silently as they had come. It was not until 
the sun was well up in the sky, and had sent 
his beams across the giant^s face, that he 
awoke. Then he sat up and looked about 
him. 

^^Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning!^^ 
he exclaimed, me thinks I have had a nap.^’ 

At these words, spoken in the giant^s loud 
voice, Elsa suddenly awoke from her deep 
sleep and looked about her in amazement. 
Her last view of the giant had shown him 
bound from head to foot, and now he was 
sitting up and rubbing his eyes, in order to 
become more wide awake. The threads from 
the goblin looms lay in little heaps beside 
him. 

Then Elsa told the giant about the visit of 
the gnomes and how they had treated him, 
and how hard she and Putzel had tried to 
57 


THE DIAMOND KING 


waken him. ^^Who could have broken all 
these threads!^’ she exclaimed. ^^Putzel and 
I tried so hard, and we couldn’t break a single 
one; and the very last thing before I fell 
asleep I saw you lying there, and now you 
are free!” 

‘^’Tis the work of the little animals of the 
woods, if I mistake not,” rephed the giant. 

’Tis not the first good turn they have done 
me. They are grateful httle creatures, and 
do their work at night. They love not the 
dwarfs, who have done them many ill turns; 
but it were time we started on our travels, 
if we would reach the Land of the Midday 
Moon ere set of sun. There I must leave thee, 
for my master the Little Man in Gray forbids 
me to enter it. Fear not, however, for I 
shall leave thee in the keeping of those who 
will know how to carry thee safely through 
those fairy realms.” 

wish you might go with us,” said Elsa, 
“you are so kind and strong.” 

58 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


The giant, who was always greatly pleased 
at a compliment, opened his huge mouth for 
one of his loud laughs, but bethought him- 
self of the danger it would bring to his com- 
panions, and stopped just in the nick of time. 
If he had not, both Elsa and Putzel would 
assuredly have been blown off the mountain, 
nobody knows where. 

^^Come, maiden,” said the giant rising, 
^^seat thyself and thy friend upon my hood, 
and we will continue our journey.” 

So saying, the giant took up very carefully 
first Elsa and then Putzel, placed them in a 
safe nook of his hood, then putting it upon 
his head he took up his staff and strode 
away. 

So secure did Elsa now feel in her lofty 
position, which was much higher than the 
Washington Monument, and so well ac- 
quainted had she become with the mild 
giant, that she really enjoyed the rapid mo- 
tion and the fine views of the surrounding 
59 


THE DIAMOND KING 


country. Before long they passed over an- 
other gnome settlement, and peeping cau- 
tiously over the edge of the hood, Elsa be- 
held the little people, looking no larger than 
good-sized ants, rushing excitedly about, 
aiming their little spears and arrows at the 
giant’s great body as he strode by. 

But the giant only smiled good-naturedly, 
and, bending over, scraped up a handful of 
the little people and put them in his pocket. 

^^They will serve thee as fine playthings, 
maiden,” he remarked as he strode on. 

You may be sure the captured gnomes 
imprisoned in the giant’s pocket raged at 
this insult to their dignity, but all their 
frantic efforts to escape were of no avail; 
they were not able to reach the top of the 
pocket. Finding their attempts useless they 
ceased struggling, and seated in the darkness 
at the bottom of the pocket they vowed 
dire vengeance. 

Among the number there happened to be 
60 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


Crafty Fox, so called on account of his 
cunning and love of mischief. Another was 
Velvet Tread, who could step as lightly as a 
wisp of thistle-down blows over the meadows. 

^^Come, Crafty Fox,’’ spoke one of the 
number, advise us how to wreak vengeance 
upon the great clumsy fellow who has played 
this stupid trick upon us.” 

^^’Tis through the maiden, comrade, that 
we must reach him,” replied Crafty Fox. 
^^Seest thou not that he loves her well?” 

^^’Twas the maiden and her four-footed 
companion who set him free,” said one. 

^^Aye, that it was,” said another. 

Listen to the plan I have in mind,” said 
Crafty Fox. ^^Dost thou recall the words 
the giant spoke as he captured us? ^They 
will make fine playthings for thee, maiden,’ 
quoth he. ^Aye,’ quoth I to myself, ^but 
they will play a game thou little kno west of ! ’ 
Not as playthings for the maiden shall we 
pose, comrades, but she shall serve as a 
61 


THE DIAMOND ICING 


plaything for the children of our king. What 
say ye, comrades, to my plan?’’ 

^^No other than Crafty Fox could have 
devised it,” they all cried in a breath. 

^^At what time and in what manner can 
thy plan be carried out?” asked one. 

Leave all to me,” replied Crafty Fox. 
^^In good time will I tell ye.” 

While this conversation was going on, the 
giant had made many strides, each one 
taking him a mile onward. Only once did 
he stop to rest, and then he carefully re- 
moved his hood, and picking off the two 
passengers, told Elsa to refresh herself on 
the berries that grew plentifully about. Noth- 
ing did he eat himself, but lying at full 
length on the ground he put his lips to the 
edge of a large lake and took such a draft 
that he drank it nearly dry. To the gnomes 
in his pocket he gave no thought. He had 
completely forgotten about them. 

When Elsa had eaten her fill of the berries, 
62 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 

the giant, refreshed by his draft, placed her 
and Putzel once more upon his hood, and 
away they went over mountains and seas 
until the wind whistled in his long hair. He 
did not stop again until the last rays of the 
setting sun were disappearing, then he paused 
to take breath and rest his huge frame. 

^^No farther can I go with thee, maiden,’^ 
he said, as he gently placed her on the 
ground, ^^but I will provide thee with an 
escort who will carry thee safely through the 
Land of the Midday Moon. Do as he bids 
thee and all will go well. Know that in the 
Land of the Midday Moon all creatures have 
the power of speech.” 

So saying the giant gave a prolonged whistle 
that resounded far and wide,, and was an- 
swered from a mountain many miles away. 
Immediately the rays of the setting sun were 
obscured by a huge object, and as Elsa gazed 
in wonder, it proved to be a gigantic stag- 
beetle. He alighted in front of the giant, 
63 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and at first Elsa felt inclined to fear him, 
for his large and branching horns gave him 
a formidable aspect. Another glance reas- 
sured her of the creature’s good nature, and 
her fears vanished. 

Beetle,” said the giant, ^^wilt do me a 
service? It is to take this maiden and her 
companion safely through the Land of the 
Midday Moon.” 

^^That will I gladly,” replied the beetle, 
^^but I dare not start until to-morrow morn, 
for our master, the Little Man in Gray, has 
set me a task that will not be completed ere 
then.” 

Although told by the giant that all crea- 
tures in the Land of the Midday Moon had the 
power of speech, Elsa was awe-struck to hear 
the huge beetle talk. His voice was rather 
loud and hoarse, but his tones were not 
ill-natured. 

“’Tis well,” replied the giant. ^^Be on 
hand, good beetle, so soon as to-morrow’s sun 
64 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


is up. Delay no longer with us, else thy task 
will not be completed in time for the long 
journey before thee.’’ 

“Now, maiden,” said the giant, “here will 
we rest until to-morrow morn. If I should 
tarry longer here, my master, the Little Man 
in Gray, would be wroth with me.” 

With this the giant cautiously laid him- 
self down, but with all his care the earth 
shook all around him. Then Elsa selected a 
bed of moss near by; Putzel cuddled up close 
to her side, and the three were soon fast 
asleep. 

Soon the only sound to be heard was the 
loud snoring of the giant, that reverberated 
through the woods, and set the nests of the 
birds, securely built in the stoutest trees, 
rocking as if a mighty tempest were blowing; 
but the birds said to themselves: “’Tis only 
the good giant sleeping on the mountain- 
side; pleasant dreams and sweet slumber to 
him!” and they were rocked to sleep again. 

65 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Then from the depth of the giant’s pocket 
peeped the faces of the imprisoned gnomes. 
Very cautiously they peered around them in 
every direction, then one by one they came 
crawling over his huge body, and as soon as 
they found themselves on the ground, they 
sped away as fast as their little feet could 
carry them. 

By and by the moon rose over the eastern 
hills and lighted up the three sleepers and 
the country around them. Then a band of 
gnomes might have been seen stealing toward 
the spot. At their head marched the gnome 
king, and when within a few feet of the sleep- 
ing maiden he gave the signal for his follow- 
ers to stop. 

Velvet Tread,” said the king, steal to 
the maiden’s side and find if her slumber be 
a deep one.” 

Then Velvet Tread, skimming over the 
blades of grass so lightly that not one was 
misplaced by his airy tread, bent over the 
66 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


sleeping maiden and brought back the an- 
swer: 

^^Her sleep is sound, Sire. Even the 
giant^s loud breathing does not cause her to 
stir an eyelash.’’ 

^^’Tis well,” replied the king. ^^Bough- 
breaker, pull thou a goodly number of hemlock 
boughs, and do the rest of ye prepare a litter.” 

Boughbreaker, with a swiftness that showed 
him to have deserved the name, broke off 
branch after branch of fragrant hemlock, 
and piled them high about him. These the 
other gnomes wove into a litter for Elsa and 
her little companion. 

WTien all was ready, the king of the gnomes 
took from his girdle a horn made from a 
petal of the columbine, and placing it to his 
lips, blew a blast both loud and deep. Ere 
the last sweet note had died away, another 
band of gnomes was seen hastening to the 
spot. These drew up before the king and 
awaited his commands. 

67 


THE DIAMOND KING 


have done well to reply so quickly to 
my call, my faithful body-guard,’^ said the 
king. Carefully place the maiden and her 
four-footed friend upon yon litter and bear 
her safely to the royal palace.” 

No sooner was the command given than the 
royal body-guard gathered about the sleeping 
maiden, and gently placed her upon the hem- 
lock litter. Then the sleeping Putzel 
was placed by her side. So 
cautiously and deftly was this 
done, that the sleepers 
did not stir. The 



68 


THE GIANT LEAVES ELSA 


litter was placed upon the sturdy shoulders 
of the body-guard and they noiselessly and 
rapidly began their journey. Over the tall 
grass, between the branching shrubs, the 
band made their way, until, as the moon 
was sinking in the western sky, they stopped 
before a lofty rock, over which an ancient 
oak tree spread its branches so skilfully 
that a hasty glance would not have dis- 
covered it. Strong bands of steel were 
stretched across the surface of the rock, and 
on either side were strong hinges of the same 
metal. 

The king of the gnomes went up to the 
rock and repeated these words in a loud voice : 

“ Entrance to the gnomes’ home, 

To thy portals have we come. 

Bands of steel and door of rock, 

Open quickly to my knock.” 

As he spoke these words, the gnome king 
struck upon the rock with the flat of his tiny 
69 


THE DIAMOND KING 


sword, and at the blow the rock parted in 
the middle and swung back upon its hinges. 
The king entered, followed by his body-guard 
bearing the litter and the remainder of the 
gnomes, and the doors swung back into place. 


70 


CHAPTER V 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER IN GNOME-LAND 

O N the inner side of the rocky portals was 
a narrow passageway hewn from the 
solid rock and dimly lighted by swinging lan- 
terns suspended from the arched roof. This 
led after a while to a wider one more brilliantly 
lighted. Trailing vines hung from the walls; 
and there appeared a pond of crystal clear 
water through which bright-hued fishes darted, 
while stately swans, no larger than good- 
sized robins, sailed across its calm surface. 
Ducks too, of the size of canary birds, sur- 
rounded by their minute ducklings, ducked 
their little heads under water and paddled 
about gleefully. 

This second passageway before long opened 
into the royal domains of Gnome-land. On 
71 


THE DIAMOND KING 


every side were seen fountains of different 
shapes, each of a different hue. Here a foun- 
tain of rose-colored water scattered its broad 
sheets far and wide. There a narrow pyramid 
of violet-tinted water shot high up in the air, 
while, again, rainbow-hued cascades fell foam- 
ing and splashing into running rivulets and 
were borne away into distant lakes. Every- 
thing was on a minute scale, in keeping with 
the small statures of the gnomes. Groves 
of little trees abounded, and beautiful gardens 
full of blossoming plants and ornamental 
statuary. A brilliant light was shed over all, 
making all things as distinct as daylight, but 
with the white cold light that the full moon 
dispenses. Birds of gay plumage flitted 
among the groves and hovered over the 
blooming plants of the garden, while sweet 
melody filled the air. 

All of this splendor was the work of the 
gnomes, for they are an industrious little 
people. Their hands had hewn openings 
72 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


through the rocks and dug passageways 
through the earth. Their little brains had de- 
signed and planted the groves, fashioned the 
fountains and gay gardens, and at all times the 
distant sound of their little hammers might 
be heard working away at the unyielding 
rock. 

The body-guard of the gnome king bore 
their burden through these beautiful realms 
to the royal palace. This was built of crystal 
that glittered with nearl}^ as much brilliancy 
as the diamond palace of the Diamond King. 
The litter was borne into the courtyard and 
into that part of the palace occupied by the 
children. Here it was set down and a mes- 
senger sent to conduct the royal children 
thither. 

Elsa had slept during the journey through 
Gnome-land, the gentle motion of the litter 
making her sleep more soundly, but when 
that motion ceased and the brilliant lights 
fell upon her eyes, she awoke with a start 
73 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and arose to her feet. Putzel, too, was as 
wide awake as she was, and both gazed about 
them in great bewilderment. 

“Where am I?’’ asked Elsa, “and where is 
the good giant? 

“Thou art in Gnome-land,’^ replied the 
gnome king, “to serve as a plaything for the 
royal children. The good giant as thou dost 
term him, the great Mountain Strider, took 
captive some of my subjects to serve as 
playthings for thee, but the tables have been 
turned, as thou wilt find to thy cost.” 

“I shall not stay here a moment longer,” 
cried Elsa indignantly. “The giant meant 
no harm to your gnomes, he never injures 
anybody, and he will miss me when he wakes 
and will think I have wandered off; and the 
beetle was to come for us in the morning to 
bear us through the Land of the Midday 
Moon.” 

“It matters naught to us what the giant 
may think,” replied the king haughtily; “and 
74 



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ELSA BECOMES A PRISONEU 


as for the beetle, he can reserve his clumsy 
flights for less arduous trips. Here then 
wilt thou stay until the royal children tire 
of their new plaything. Here they come, 
and mind, maiden, that thou dost their bid- 
ding, or it wdll be worse for thee.^^ 

As the gnome king ceased speaking, a 
whooping and screeching of shrill voices was 
heard, and in tumbled the group of royal 
children, each fighting and scrambling to 
get ahead of the other. They all had peevish, 
ill-natured faces, but the crown prince had 
the most ill-natured face of all. 

tell you Fve the first right to her,’^ 
snarled the crown prince in his peevish voice, 
because Pm the crown prince, and some day 
I shall be king, and then if anybody doesnT 
do as I say I shall have his head chopped off. 
Here, you step out of my way and he gave a 
vicious pinch to the arm of the eldest princess, 
who at once sent forth a shriek of pain, and 
immediately gave the long hair of the crown 
75 


THE DIAMOND KING 


prince a sharp pull. The crown prince re- 
taliated by a smart slap, and the two fell 
upon one another in an angry tussle. Where- 
upon the other children threw themselves 
into the fray, and soon the tiny combatants 
were struggling in a wriggling mass upon the 
floor. 

Elsa looked on in disgust while the courtiers 
disentangled the ill-tempered royal children, 
then she exclaimed: “I will not stay and be 
the plaything of such ill-natured children ! 
Come, Putzel, we will go back to the good 
giant 

At these words Elsa rushed out of the 
palace, knocking down in her haste many of 
the king’s body-guard and several elderly 
courtiers. Putzel, taking in the situation, 
charged upon the gnome king, the royal 
children, and everybody who stood in his 
path, then darted after his mistress. 

Elsa fled through the courtyard and the 
royal gardens, bounding over the miniature 
76 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


fountains and lakes, and striding between 
the trees of the groves, trampling upon many 
of the tallest ones that lay in her path. At 
last she paused and looked about her in be- 
wilderment. She knew not in what direction 
the exit from Gnome-land lay and found her- 
self wandering aimlessly about among the gar- 
dens and groves, continually coming back to 
the same spot from which she started. Then 
she realized that she was lost, and, throwing 
herself down by the violet-tinted fountain, 
gave vent to her disappointment in a violent 
flood of tears. Putzel, overcome with grief 
at the sight of his mistress’s distress, seated 
himself by her side and howled aloud. 

By degrees Elsa found herself growing 
calmer, and at last became conscious of a 
gentle twitch at her wrist. Then she re- 
membered the silken cord, as fine as a cobweb, 
that the fairy queen had given her, and which 
she had fastened to her arm. At that moment 
she heard a faint voice say : 

77 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Despair thou not, and fear no harm, 

While fairy cord is on thy arm. 

Stay where thou art, nor fail to do 
All that the gnomes may tell thee to. 

Near is the time when thou shalt be 
From out these prison walls set free.” 

Elsa was a reasonable child and, pondering 
over these words, came to the conclusion that 
the wisest thing to do was to take the advice 
of the fairy voice. So she dried her eyes, and, 
calling Putzel, wandered back to the palace, 
where she found that the gnomes who had 
been thrown down by her and Putzel had 
picked themselves up. The royal children 
had stopped fighting and crowded around 
her to inspect their new plaything. 

The king ordered all the harness-makers in 
his kingdom to make a strong and handsome 
harness for Putzel, and the royal coach-makers 
to make a coach that would hold all the royal 
children. They set to work with such energy 
that in a short time both the coach and 
78 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


harness were ready. The coach was an 
elegant affair of a beautiful white wood 
known only to the gnomes, the wheels were 
of gold, and the inside lined with bright red 
velvet. Into this coach Putzel was har- 
nessed every day, and the royal children 
drove through the parks of Gnome-land, Elsa 
walking behind as body-guard. 

Although this life was a tedious one to 
Elsa, who had become a slave to the whims 
of the ill-natured children, her comfort was 
not wholly disregarded. The gnome king 
caused a house to be built for her and 
PutzeFs especial benefit. It contained but 
three rooms, a parlor, bedroom and dining- 
room, but it was much larger than the royal 
palace with all its halls and suites of apart- 
ments. A hundred bakers were employed 
in making bread for her, for their tiny rolls 
made but one mouthful for her, and their 
minute roasts and dishes of vegetables went 
no further in satisfying her appetite. Their 
79 


THE DIAMOND KING 


pineapples were the size of the strawberries 
Elsa had been in the habit of eating, and 
their largest squashes and pumpkins were no 
larger than the peas she had at home. 

Very wearisome was the life Elsa led. The 
royal children did not tire of their plaything, 
but they vented their temper upon her and 
subjected her to great discomfort. Often 
when she thought to have a quiet hour with 
Putzel, who was the only one to whom she 
could confide her troubles, a messenger would 
be sent to summon her to the palace to wait 
upon the royal children. One of their favor- 
ite pastimes was to be carried by her through 
the groves and gardens of Gnome-land, that 
they might look down upon the tallest trees, 
as Elsa herself had looked down upon the 
forests and oceans from the head of the giant. 

One afternoon Elsa was seated in her parlor 
with Putzel in her lap. She had passed a 
particularly unhappy day, for the royal chil- 
dren had been more wilful than usual, 

80 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


will have a nice cozy time by our- 
selves, Putzel dear/’ Elsa said, “for the 
royal children are tired from squabbling all 
the morning and will want to rest; so we will 
talk about old times and try to make some 
plan to escape from this tedious place, for I 
see no prospect of the royal children wearying 
of us. It gives them too much pleasure to 
torment us for that. Look at my arm, Putzel 
dear, and see that blue mark where the crown 
prince pinched me because I didn’t go the 
way he wished me to.” 

Putzel examined the blue mark carefully, 
and expressed his sympathy by a low whine; 
but at that moment a page entered with a 
command for Elsa and Putzel to repair at 
once to the royal palace, as it was the pleasure 
of the royal children to take a drive through 
the park. 

“I shall not — ” began Elsa, her patience 
giving way as she thought of the afternoon 
spent as the morning had been; but a gentle 
81 


THE DIAMOND KING 


pull of the cord at her wrist made her stop. 
At the same moment the soft voice whispered: 


‘‘Maiden dear, the time is ripe, 

And thou wilt leave these realms to-night. 
Soon they will quarrel; give them their way. 
Through them thou’lt see the light of day.'’ 


'^Say to the royal children that we will 
come at once/’ said Elsa to the page, who 
departed with the message. 

“ Oh, Putzel, if it should come true that we 
should leave this place to-night!” exclaimed 
Elsa, as she prepared to go to the palace. 
Then, giving the page a few minutes’ start, 
for what to him was a long walk was to her 
but a few strides, she tucked Putzel under 
one arm and started for the palace. 

The royal children were assembled in the 
courtyard. It was quite an operation to 
harness Putzel, for the tallest of the gnome 
grooms did not reach above Putzel’s knees, 
and they had to use very long ladders made 
82 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


after the model of those the hook-and-ladder 
companies of our fire department use. 

It amused Elsa to see the excitement that 
attended the harnessing of her little dog. 
The grooms ran up and down the ladders, 
buckling straps, tightening girths, and calling 
to Putzel in their piping voices to ^^whoa^’ or 

stand stilP’ if he happened to so much as 
wink. 

The princesses and youngest princes were 
assisted into the coach by the footmen, while 
the crown prince mounted to the box beside 
the driver. The footmen jumped up behind, 
for the coach was built according to an old- 
time model, and contained a platform for 
footmen to stand on. 

The crown prince gathered up the reins, 
but before giving his steed the signal to start 
he turned to Elsa and said with a scowl: 

^^Mind that thou keepst well up with us, 
maiden! We go to visit the royal preserves, 
many leagues from here, and if thou shouldst 
83 


THE DIAMOND KING 


lag behind thou wilt see what will happen!’’ 
And with another fierce scowl at Elsa, he 
issued his commands to the two gnomes, who, 
on ladders on either side of Putzel’s head, 
held him by the bridle as if he were a restive 
horse : Give him his head 1 ” 

At these words the gnomes let go the bridle, 
the crown prince cracked his tiny whip, and 
with a bound Putzel was off, rattling out of 
the courtyard with such speed that the coach 
whizzed around the corner on two wheels, 
the princesses screaming with terror and the 
crown prince and coachman nearly tumbling 
off the box. This rapid pace was kept up 
until Putzel considered that the royal children 
had had enough of it, then he settled down 
to a reasonable gait that Elsa might catch 
up with him. 

This was not as easy for Elsa as it might 
seem, for the sight of the coach whizzing 
around the corner on two wheels, the prin- 
cesses screaming at the top of their shrill 
84 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


voices, and the crown prince holding on to 
the side of the coach for dear life, was a very 
comical sight, particularly as she knew that 
it was done intentionally by the gentle little 
Putzel to pay back some of the ill-natured 
tricks they had played her. Putzel had not 
forgotten that blue mark on his little mistresses 
arm caused by the vicious fingers of the 
crown prince. 

Elsa turned her head to one side, that the 
royal party might not see that she was laugh- 
ing, and anybody who has tried it knows 
that it is not easy to run in that position ; but 
she caught up with them by the time Putzel 
had come down to a gentle trot. The prin- 
cesses and young princes inside the coach 
began to scold the crown prince for his reck- 
less driving, and say he ought to give the 
reins to the coachman who knew how to 
drive. Of course the crown prince scolded 
back, and told them he wished they would 
attend to their own affairs and not meddle 
85 


THE DIAMOND KING 


with what did not concern them. Where- 
upon they replied that it was their own affair 
as much as it was his, and that they should 
continue to meddle until he gave up the 
reins. 

Then the prince said he knew better about 
everything than they did, because he was 
the crown prince and should be king some 
day, and that the very first thing he did would 
be to have the heads of everybody who 
did not do as he said chopped off at once, 
and that they had better look out. Where- 
upon the eldest princess, who was very much 
like her brother, jumped up and gave his hair 
such a tweak that he set up a shrill yell and 
at once proceeded to climb into the coach 
and settle the matter on the spot. 

Then Elsa, who had been patient through all 
their disputes and ill-natured treatment of 
her, felt that her patience was exhausted, and, 
taking the crown prince in one hand and the 
eldest princess in the other, gave each a smart 
86 


ELSA BECOMES A PRISONER 


shake, saying to each as she set them down 
hard in their places : 

“Stop this disgraceful squabbling at once! 



You are very proud of being royal children, 
and for that reason you ought to behave better 
than others, but you are the most ill-bred chil- 

87 


THE DIAMOND KING 


dren I ever saw, and if you don’t stop this 
senseless quarrelling I will duck you both in 
yonder fountain! If you two behaved well, 
the younger ones would.” 

Elsa was so big and strong and had shaken 
them up so well, that neither the crown prince 
nor the eldest princess dared say a word; but 
the eldest princess sulked for a while in silence, 
and the crown prince secretly resolved that 
as soon as he became king, Elsa’s head would 
be the first one he would have chopped off. 


88 


CHAPTER VI 


ELSA FINDS HERSELF ONCE MORE FREE 

T70R a while the royal party proceed quietly, 
^ only the youngest princes and princesses 
conversing together, but by degrees the crown 
prince and the eldest princess recovered from 
their sulky fit, and were more amiable than 
Elsa had ever seen them. The shaking had 
evidently done them good, and Elsa resolved 
to repeat it should occasion require. 

Before long the gardens and parks were 
left behind, and their way led through forests 
where grass-grown roads took the place of 
smooth park streets. Elsa towered above 
the tallest trees, but it was interesting to look 
down upon the birds sitting in their nests, 
the largest of them no bigger than a full-grown 
bumblebee. 


89 


THE DIAMOND KING 


After a while they came to a tall fence of 
wire netting, that is, tall for Gnome-land, 
although it reached but to Elsa’s chin. 

The entrance was secured by a gate locked 
on the inside. Before this the royal coach 
drew up, and the crown prince, taking up a 
horn that was attached to the coach, blew 
a deep blast upon it. Almost before the last 
faint echoes had died away, a clattering of 
horses’ hoofs was heard, and a tiny pony 
came galloping up. On his back was a gnome, 
the keeper of the preserves. He wore sombrero, 
jerkin, and chaps like our western cowboys, 
all of minute pattern, and jumping down 
from his little saddle and throwing his bridle- 
rein over one arm, he unlocked the gate for 
the royal party to enter. As soon as they 
were inside the keeper locked the gate again, 
and respectfully inviting the crown prince to 
follow, said he would start up the game. 
Then he bounded into the saddle and dashed 
into the thicket. The coach, with Elsa follow- 
90 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


ing, proceeded in the road which was evidently 
seldom used, for it was quite rough. After a 
while a shrill whistle was heard, the signal 
the keeper used to call the animals together, 
and immediately a crackling of the branches 
was heard and a trampling of many hoofs, and 
out of the thicket bounded a herd of buffaloes. 
Elsa gazed in admiration at the pretty crea- 
tures, formed like the large buffaloes she had 
seen in pictures, with big shaggy heads and 
short horns, the largest no bigger than Put- 
zel. Several calves were among the herd, 
the youngest one only a few weeks old, and 
about the size of a six weeks old pug puppy. 
Elsa wanted to caress the pretty creature, 
but an old buffalo bull came towards her 
with his great head lowered and with such a 
fierce look in his eyes that she thought it 
prudent to retreat. 

After the royal children had seen as much 
of the buffaloes as they liked, the keeper once 
more disappeared in the woods, the coach 
91 


THE DIAMOND KING 


following by the road, and again his shrill 
whistle was heard. Out trotted a herd of 
moose, treading so lightly, and guiding their 
branching horns so skilfully among the trees, 
that before the royal children knew it they 
were quite near them. They, too, were on 
the same minute scale as everything else in 
Gnome-land, and Elsa noticed that their large 
and spreading horns were of a soft gray color, 
looking as if made of velvet. This was be- 
cause they had just shed their old horns, and 
the newly grown ones were yet soft and tender. 

Next a herd of elk started up, and Elsa 
thought these the most beautiful of all, with 
their large, soft eyes and lofty antlers. Then 
came a flock of mountain sheep, so tiny that 
Elsa could have scooped up a dozen of them 
and put them in her apron. 

After the larger animals were seen, the birds 
were visited. There were grouse and pheas- 
ants, both cocks and hens, and many other 
varieties of birds, in enclosures of fine wire 
92 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


netting. Elsa was greatly amused to see 
peacocks no larger than humming-birds spread 
their tails and strut about as grandly as if they 
were full-sized birds. 

The royal children had not molested the 
larger animals only for the reason that they 
were afraid to, but these harmless, defenceless 
birds not being able to hurt any one, the 
children amused themselves by pelting them 
with stones, and even went so far as to at- 
tempt to pull out their pretty tail feathers. 
The keeper dared not interfere with their 
pleasure, fearing that they might report him 
to the king and cause him to lose his situation, 
but Elsa had no such motive to deter her, 
and, remembering the success of her dis- 
cipline on a former occasion, she boldly 
picked up each of the princes and princesses 
and bundled them into the coach without 
ceremony. Then she headed Putzel towards 
the entrance to the preserves, and they started 
on their return trip. 


93 


THE DIAMOND KING 


They were all silent for a time, for Elsa’s 
determined behavior had quite subdued 
them, but after they had passed the gate 
and gone some distance along the forest road 
their spirits began to revive. The crown 
prince had resolved to report Elsa’s behavior 
to the king, telling him that she had had the 
audacity to give his son and heir a shaking 
and set him down hard; but he had a whole- 
some fear of Elsa and kept his determination 
to himself. So ill-natured was he that he 
secretly revelled in the satisfaction it would 
give him to see Elsa punished. 

In due time they came to the spot where 
the road that led to the preserves branched 
off from the park road, and where several 
roads, all similar in appearance, led in various 
directions. Putzel, whose instinct in that 
respect was very acute, was about to take 
the road by which they had come. The crown 
prince, however, insisted that it was the 
wrong one, and tried to make him take 
94 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


another. Both were determined, and Elsa 
was about to insist that Putzel should have 
his way, when she felt a gentle twitch of the 
fairy cord at her wrist, and the well-known 
voice repeated: 

“Soon they will quarrel; give them their way, 
Through them thou’lt see the light of day.’^ 

These words gave her hope, and she at 
once signified to Putzel that he was to go the 
way the crown prince desired. He did it, 
however, very reluctantly, for he was con- 
vinced that he was right, and he could not 
hear the fairy voice that whispered to Elsa. 
So on the party went, and Elsa perceived that 
it was a road entirely new to her. So it was, 
for it was that through which she had been 
borne while fast asleep upon the litter of 
hemlock boughs. 

At last they entered the passageway which 
was lighted by lamps hanging from the arched 
roof, and upon the walls of which hung trail- 
95 


THi!. DIAMOND KING 


ing plants. Then Elsa began to suspect that 
they must be approaching the outlet of Gnome- 
land, and her heart beat wildly with hope. 
As for the crown prince and the other princes 
and princesses, they were so full of curiosity 
to see where this new road led, that they 
forgot to dispute, and looked about them in 
silence. After a while they came to the 
portal of rock bound with steel bands, and 
as they could go no farther, Putzel drew the 
coach to one side and stopped short. No 
sooner was this done than a voice on the 
other side of the portal was heard to speak 
these words : 

^‘Entrance to the gnomes’ home, 

To thy portals have we come. 

Bands of steel and door of rock, 

Open quickly to my knock.” 


No sooner were these magic words spoken 
than the doors flew wide open and a band of 
gnomes entered. The coach was drawn so well 
96 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


to one side, and the daylight outside was so 
much brighter than the light within, that 
the coach with its royal occupants was not 
perceived, as the gnomes passed them six 
abreast. 

Although Putzel had not heard the fairy 
voice, he saw that the door that kept him 
and his mistress prisoners in Gnome-land was 
at last opened, and he also perceived the pure 
light of day without, so, waiting until the 
last of the gnomes had passed through, he 
dashed out of the portal, closely followed 
by Elsa, who had taken in the situation as 
quickly as he had. Even before they were 
wholly outside, the rocky doors began to 
close, and although Elsa whisked through as 
quickly as possible, a piece of her gown was 
caught between the doors as they swung to. 
She quickly tore it away, and ran after Putzel, 
who was ascending the hill before them at 
such a rapid pace that the royal coach swung 
about wildly, and at last, in passing over a 
97 


THE DIAMOND KING 


rock that lay in the path, was completely 
overturned, when Putzel stood still to view 
the disaster he had caused. 

Elsa knew there was not a moment to be 
lost, for the rocky portals through which 
they had just passed were but a few rods 
away, and the royal party were screaming 
lustily. So quickly freeing Putzel from the 
coach, she caught him up in her arms and 
raced up the hill as fast as she could go. She 
had not very far to go, for although it had 
been quite a journey for the gnomes with 
their short strides, it was in reality not a long 
distance for her. She began to wonder what 
she should do next, for without the kind 
giant to protect her she could hardly hope 
to escape from the gnomes, who though small 
in size always went about their work in such 
numbers that she knew she would be power- 
less to resist them. She thought with a 
shudder of the manner in which they had 
wound their tiny threads about the great 
98 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


giant, and how powerless it had rendered 
him. She also remembered the silent manner 
in which she had been transported to Gnome- 
land during her sleep. 

While these fears were perplexing her, she 
almost ran against a huge wall that towered 
high above her. She was wondering what it 
could be, when Putzel ran up to it, and after 
one sniff at it gave a joyous bark, such only 
as he bestowed upon his friends. Then Elsa 
perceived that it was one of the giant’s feet, 
and her heart beat joyfully, for she knew that 
she was now safe. So, following along closely 
by the side of the giant’s leg, she travelled 
along hopefully until she reached his knee. 
Then stopping for a while to get her breath, 
she continued her journey until she came 
upon him sitting upright and rubbing his 
eyes, as one does who has slept soundly. 

Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning, 
but it’s heavily I have slept the night!” ex- 
claimed the giant as he caught sight of Elsa 
99 


Lore, 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and Putzel. ^^Thou art up betimes, maiden, 
and ’tis wisely done, for the beetle was to 
come at sunrise, and the sun already stands 
well up in the eastern sky.’’ 

^^Is it possible that the beetle has not 
come yet? And how does it happen that you 
are still here, when you told me that your 
master, the Little Man in Gray, required your 
services elsewhere?” 

^^The beetle was to come at sunrise, and I 
have the day before me in which to do my 
master’s bidding,” replied the giant. 

“ But many suns have come and gone since 
I was here,” replied Elsa. ^^It is a long 
time since the gnomes carried me off to 
Gnome-land.” 

“Thou art pleased to speak in riddles, 
maiden, and I like them not,” replied the 
giant; “but one night has passed since I 
saw thee last.” 

Then Elsa hurriedly told the giant about 
finding herself in Gnome-land, and how the 
100 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 

gnomes had made her serve the royal children 
in order to revenge themselves upon him for 
capturing some of them as playthings for 
her, and how Putzel had been obliged to draw 
the royal coach. She also described the manner 
in which they had effected their escape. 

To all this the giant listened with great 
attention, but when she came to the upsetting 
of the royal coach, he burst into a mighty 
laugh. This came so suddenly and unex- 
pectedly that it blew Elsa off his forefinger 
where she had perched that the giant might 
hear her the better. Down and down she 
fluttered, but the giant, greatly perplexed 
at the accident, managed to catch her before 
she touched the ground, and thus prevented 
any serious harm. She was much shaken 
up by the fall, and it was some time before 
she recovered from the dizziness it produced. 
When she had regained her breath, and the 
giant had apologized most humbly for his 
thoughtlessness, he said seriously : 

101 


THE DIAMOND KING 



Thou 
hast been 
dreaming, 
maiden. 
Thou 
must 
know 
it is im- 
possible for thee to 
have gone to Gnome- 
land and to have 
abided there so 
long a time as 
thou sayest, for 
but one night 
has passed since I saw thee last.’^ 

^^It was no dream,’’ said Elsa firmly. 
“ Look at Putzel, — a remnant of the harness 
102 


ELSA ONCE MORE FREE 


the gnome king caused to be made for him still 
hangs to him. How do you account for that? 

The giant glanced down at Putzel, and 
carefully lifted him up in his other hand, 
thus bringing him within range of his vision. 
It was as Elsa said, a part of the royal harness 
still clung to him. The little bridle and 
saddle, studded with precious stones, still 
remained on him. 

A look of bewilderment came over the 
gianPs large dull face. 

How do you account for that? repeated 
Elsa. 

am at a loss to account for it, maiden,” 
replied the giant. Tis clear that the gnomes 
have been at work here; but that so long a 
time has elapsed since I went to sleep last 
night is impossible. My brains are too dull 
to fathom the mystery. But look thou, 
maiden, here comes the beetle all in good 
time, so thou seest that thou art the one that 
is mistaken.” 


103 


THE DIAMOND KING 


As the giant spoke the sky became dark, 
and the gigantic beetle was seen hovering 
above them. He gradually descended, and, 
alighting in front of the giant, remarked in 
his hoarse voice: 

“Here am I, friend, in good time. Place 
my little passenger upon my back and we 
will set off, for a long day’s journey lies before 


104 


CHAPTER VII 


ELSA REACHES THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 



^HE giant carefully placed Elsa upon the 


beetle’s back with Putzel in front of her. 
There was plenty of room, for his back was 
broad, but it was hard and slippery, and Elsa 
was afraid of slipping off. 

^^You will have to speak up good and loud 
if you have anything to say to me, my dear,” 
remarked the beetle in his hoarse voice, ^Hor 
I am somewhat hard of hearing, and you are 
quite a little distance from my ears.” 
will,” replied Elsa. 

^^What say?” asked the beetle, inclining 
his head toward Elsa as far as his short neck 
would allow. 

said I would,” screamed Elsa. 

Could what?” asked the beetle. 


105 


THE DIAMOND KING 


^^The maiden says she will speak as loudly 
as she can, friend/^ said the giant in his loud 
voice. 

‘^Then why couldn^t she say so at once/^ 
said the beetle, ^^and not beat around the 
bush?^^ 

“She did say so, but thy ears are some- 
what dull, friend, and thy brains, like mine, 
are not of the quickest.” 

“She didn’t say so,” persisted the beetle, 
“but it doesn’t signify.” 

“Oh, dear me!” sighed Elsa to herself. “I 
shall not say anything more than is abso- 
lutely necessary, for I can never make him 
understand.” 

“Fare thee well, maiden,” said the giant. 
“I shall miss thee sadly; but it is time thou 
went on thy way. Friend beetle, take good 
care of thy little charge, and be not unmind- 
ful of the dangers that threaten her if thou 
shouldst tarry in thy flight through the Land 
of the Midday Moon. Thou knowest as well 
106 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 

as I that it is an uncanny place, beset with 
dangers. Once more, maiden, fare thee well, 
and forget me not.^^ 

^^That I shall never do, good, kind giant,^^ 
cried Elsa gratefully; but she could say no 
more, for at that moment the huge beetle 
spread his wings and slowly rose from the 
ground. Elsa clung to his back with both 
her hands, and, although she slid about in an 
alarming manner, she did not fall off. As 
the beetle rose higher in the air his flight 
became more rapid and the motion more 
steady, so that she soon learned how to 
balance herself. 

They were at a great height, much higher 
than Elsa had been when on the giant’s head, 
and it was very cold with the clouds all about 
her, as they whizzed through the air at such 
a rapid pace. The whir of the beetle’s large 
wings was quite deafening, and reminded 
Elsa of a windmill near her old home in 
Germany. 


107 


THE DIAMOND KING 


For a long while the beetle flew silently 
through the air^ over mountains, seas, and 
rivers, but they were so far below that Elsa 
could only distinguish the outlines dimly. 
At last he said : 

“How far art thou going, maiden?’^ 

“To the land of the After Glow,^^ screamed 
Elsa at the top of her voice. 

“What say?” asked the beetle, inclining 
one ear toward her. 

“Land of the After Glow,” shrieked Elsa. 

“Never heard of such a place,” replied the 
beetle. “What did they give it such an out- 
landish name for?” 

“I am sure I donT know,” replied Elsa. 
“I never heard of it until the queen of the 
fairies told me about it.” 

“Who told thee?” asked the beetle. 

“The queen of the fairies,” shrieked Elsa. 

“Who’s he?” demanded the beetle. 

“Oh, dear me!” screamed poor Elsa. “I 
can’t talk any louder. So if you don’t mind, 
108 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


will you please not ask me any more questions 
until we stop? Your wings make so much 
noise I don^t wonder you can’t hear me/’ she 
added politely. 

^^What did he say that for?” asked the 
beetle. 

^^Oh, you don’t understand a word I say,” 
called out Elsa, ready to cry with vexation. 

don’t agree with him,” replied the beetle 
decidedly. ^^Well, what art thou going to 
do there?” 

^^Find the Little Gray Man,” said Elsa. 

^^What dost thou want of a bay mare?” 
asked the beetle in his hoarsest tones. 

didn’t say hay marey I said Gray Man” 
shouted Elsa. 

Well, there’s very little difference between 
bay and gray,” remarked the beetle. 

Elsa saw that it was useless to try to make 
the beetle understand, so she let the matter 
drop. The beetle, however, was bent on conver- 
sation, and curious to know of Elsa’s plans. 
109 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Well, what dost thou want the gray 
mare for?’’ 

Elsa had resolved not to converse any 
more, but the beetle was so persistent, and 
said ^^hey” in such a hoarse voice when Elsa 
did not reply, that she did not dare refuse 
to answer. 

I want to tell the Little Gray Man about 
the children who work in the diamond mines, 
and see if he can’t make the Diamond King 
let them go back to their homes.” 

“Well,” replied the beetle, “and what 
then?” 

“I don’t believe he has understood a word 
I have said,” said Elsa to herself, “but I 
suppose I shall have to answer him.” Then 
she added in her loudest tones: “The little 
girl who lives in the Diamond King’s country 
told me all about it. She said her brothers 
had been sent there.” 

“His what?” asked the beetle. 

“Brothers!” screamed Elsa. 

no 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


^^How many of them has he, pray?’’ 
demanded the beetle. 

'^Two, I think,” replied Elsa, ^^but there 
may have been three.” 

^^What does he want of three mothers?” 
asked the beetle scornfully. should think 
one was enough for anybody.” 

said brothersj^^ screamed Elsa. 

Well, so did I,” answered the beetle. 

To Elsa’s great relief the beetle flew along 
in silence for some time. Then he re- 
marked: ^^My wings are getting tired and 
I must rest a minute or two on the summit 
of that mountain beneath us.” He began to 
descend, and soon alighted on a mountain 
peak far below. 

^Ht is almost midday,” remarked the 
beetle, ^^and the moon should be midway in 
the heavens; but it is somewhat cloudy, and 
the moon’s rays do not pierce the clouds so 
well as the rays of the sun. Heigh-ho ! 
whom have we here?” 

Ill 


th:e diamond king 


Elsa started nervously, as another huge 
stag-beetle alighted near them. The two 
beetles happened to be acquainted and at 
once began a conversation. The new arrival 
showed much curiosity in regard to the pas- 
sengers his friend had brought, and ques- 
tioned him closely. 

I will tell you all I know,” replied Elsa^s 
beetle, ^^for the maiden^s voice is weak, and 
if I had difficulty in understanding her, how 
would it be with thee, who art so much 
deafer than I am? I don’t suppose thou 
wouldst have gotten a single sentence 
straight.” 

Perhaps not,” replied the other beetle 
coolly, adding in a low tone, although my 
hearing is a good deal better than yours is.” 

^^Well,” said Elsa’s beetle, ^Hhis is the 
maiden’s story. She was handed over to me 
by our friend Mountainstrider, so called on 
account of his being able to step over the 
highest mountains — ” 

112 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


know all about that/’ interrupted the 
other beetle, who seemed to be of an irritable 
temperament; ^^go on with your story, for 
my time is short, as I must be at the stag- 
party at noon.” 

Mountainstrider asked me to convey the 
maiden through the Land of the Midday 
Moon, which I agreed to do,” continued Elsa’s 
beetle. Naturally I questioned her about 
her plans, for it is a little unusual to see a 
maiden of her years, travelling about by 
herself. It was hard work for me to under- 
stand what she said, for, as I said before, 
she has a feeble voice, but I think I doubt- 
less have her story straight. She is on her 
way to a place called Laugh and Go, and 
is looking for a gray mare for somebody who 
calls himself the Diamond King.” 

Well, I hope she may find it,” remarked 
the other beetle with a sarcastic laugh, 
^^but I should say she was going pretty 
far out of her way. Gray mares are not so 
113 


THE DIAMOND KING 


uncommon that she need travel so far to find 
one.’’ 

^^So I thought,” replied Elsa’s beetle. 
^^That Diamond King, as he calls himself, 
must be a queer sort of fellow, for he owns 
to having three mothers.” 

“He is a humbug, you may depend upon 
it,” said the other beetle. “If I wert thou I 
wouldn’t encourage the maiden in such a 
fool’s errand. My advice is to take her back 
to Mountainstrider and let him return her 
to her friends.” 

“Oh, don’t take me back,” pleaded Elsa. 
“You didn’t understand what I said. I must 
find the Little Gray Man, because he is the 
only one who can relieve those poor children 
in the diamond mines, and it is so dreadful 
to think of them living there and never coming 
home any more.” 

“If he has children of his own, it is much 
worse for him to send you about hunting up 
mares for him. Why doesn’t he send one of 
114 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


his own children?^’ asked the newly arrived 
beetle. 

Elsa tried her best to explain to him about 
the diamond mines and her quest of the Little 
Man in Gray. The beetle listened atten- 
tively, but his large dull eyes and still duller 
ears did not take in her words. 

Thou evidently dost not know what thou 
art talking about, maiden,’^ said the stranger 
beetle. Then, addressing Elsa^s beetle, he said : 

I will tell thee what we will do. The maiden^s 
mind is in a state of confusion, that is evident. 
Now leave her here for a while to collect her 
thoughts, and thou and I will go to the stag 
party for a few moments or so. The hour is 
midday, and see, there stands the moon!’’ 

^^Our friend Mountainstrider bade me not 
tarry in the Land of the Midday Moon, and I 
dare not disobey him, for fear our master the 
Little Man in Gray would be angry with me,” 
said Elsa’s beetle. 

few moments more or less will not 

115 


THE DIAMOND KING 



signify/' 
replied the 
other, and the 
maiden is in need of 
rest after her long journey. 
Thou canst make up for lost 
time with ease, for thy wings are 
strong and swift." 

Poor Elsa was in despair. She 
vainly implored the beetle to remem- 
ber the giant's commands not to tarry 
in the Land of the Midday Moon, 
but between his natural dulness of 
comprehension and his deafness, not 
a word of her tearful supplication 
did he understand. He understood 


116 



THE LAND OP THE MIDDAY MOON 


though that a fall from his back would be 
most disastrous for her, so, standing closely 
to a tall branching tree that grew lower down 
on the mountain, he squatted on the ground 
beside it, and inclining his back toward it, 
Elsa and Putzel slid down the slippery surface 
and alighted in the topmost branches. Then 
the two beetles spread their wings and flew 
rapidly away. 

This is worse than being in Gnome-land, 
isnT it, dear Putzel? cried Elsa as she clasped 
her faithful friend in her arms. ^^What 
should I do without you to comfort me?^^ 
And Putzel lapped her hand tenderly and 
crowded closer to her side. 

Poor Elsa wept long and bitterly in her nest 
in the lofty tree, and, worn out with anxiety and 
grief, she at last fell into a profound slumber. 
Putzel, too, as weary as she, followed her exam- 
ple, and the two were soon sleeping so soundly 
that all cares and griefs were forgotten. So 
deep was their slumber that they did not 
117 


THE DIAMOND KING 


perceive the gigantic stork that passed over 
them, and who, happening to look down, 
saw the sleeping child with the dog clasped 
tightly in her arms. Neither did they see 
her alight on a neighboring tree, and, craning 
her long neck, gaze at them in surprise. Nor 
did they hear the words she spoke, for she 
had very little society and was in the habit 
of uttering her thoughts aloud. 

“Oh, my! What a fine child! She sees 
out as if she were a child from ten years. It 
is already a long time since I have seen a 
baby fit for the good giant’s wife. Mine are 
yet so small already, and the giant babies 
are so seldom found ! I didn’ thought to find 
so fine a child. Better I take her mit me.” 

So saying, the stork, picking Elsa up very 
carefully in her huge bill, without waking her 
or even disturbing Putzel, who was still closely 
clasped in her arms, flew rapidly off to the 
giant’s wife, who was hoping the stork would 
keep her promise and bring her a nice baby. 

118 


CHAPTER VIII 


ELSA BECOMES A GIANT BABY AND MEETS 
AN OLD FRIEND 



^HE stork, bearing the sleeping Elsa and 


Putzel, flew in the direction from which 
the beetle had started in his flight through 
the Land of the Midday Moon. After a while 
she left that land and passed over the 
spot where Elsa had parted from the giant 
when she began her journey on the bee- 
tle’s back. The stork did not stop there, 
however, but turned off in another direction. 
Before long they flew over a lofty castle, on 
one of the towers of which was a stork’s nest. 
A gigantic cart-wheel had been placed there 
with the hope that a pair of storks might be 
persuaded to settle there, for in all lands 
where storks are found it is believed that 


119 


THE DIAMOND KING 


they bring good luck with them, and fortu- 
nate are those people considered who have 
a stork^s nest on their roof. 

Within the cart-wheel was a clumsily 
fashioned nest made from straw and sticks, 
and seated upon the nest with his long legs 
curled up under him was a papa-stork, taking 
care of the baby storks while their mamma 
was absent. He did not sit so quietly on 
the nest as mamma-stork did, he fidgeted 
about a good deal, changing frequently the 
position of his long legs, but he did the best 
he knew how. He much preferred to fly 
about in search of frogs and lizards for the 
baby storks, but mamma-stork was a busy 
bird and her duties took her away from home 
very often. 

^^Art thou there? said papa-stork, as the 
mamma-stork with Elsa in her bill flew slowly 
above him. It is already long since I have 
sat here, and my legs are cramped. I would 
rather work hard all day searching for food 
120 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 


for the young ones, as to squat here for half 
an hour.^^ 

^^Be patient, Papa,^’ replied the mamma- 
stork. “1 come just so soon how I can. 
First leave I this fine baby with the giant^s 
wife, then come I again. 

The mamma-stork smiled to herself as 
she saw her patient mate trying to find 
a more comfortable position for his long 
thin legs. ^^Poor Papa!’^ she said to herself, 
^^he takes it not easily, sitting on the nest; 
but how can it otherwise be? I have much 
to do bringing one baby here and another 
one there, else there would be no babies 
bringed.’’ 

As she finished speaking, she alighted on 
one of the casements of the castle. It was 
open to allow the air to enter, and mamma- 
stork flew in. On a bed in a huge chamber 
lay the giant^s wife, and mamma-stork cau- 
tiously placed the sleeping Elsa by her 
side. 


121 


THE DIAMOND KING 


“I love all the babies I ever bringed/^ said 
mamma-stork to herself as she gazed at the 
sleeping child, “ and I love the last one best 
of all, but it seems to me that never have I 
seen so fine a child as this. But what for a 
strange boog is this in her arms? Better I 
take it mit me to my own babies.^’ 

So saying, the stork picked up the sleeping 
Putzel, and flew away with him to her nest 
on the high tower. 

When Elsa awoke from her sleep, she was 
even more confused than when she awoke 
in Gnome-land. She dreamed that she was 
still in the branches of the tall tree where 
the beetle had left her, and that a tempest 
was rocking the tree violently and roaring 
loudly. Then came a sudden crash, and 
she awoke to find herself in the arms of 
a giantess, who was rocking her back and 
forth so swiftly that her head was quite 
dizzy. At the same time the giantess sang 
these words: 


122 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 


Sweetly sleep, thou giant’s child, 

Father’s a giant gentle and mild. 

Rest thou here, safe on my arm. 

Mother’s love always will keep thee from harm.” 

These words were roared in such a loud 
voice that poor Elsa was almost deafened. 
She looked up into the giantess’s face so far 
above her, and saw it looking down upon her 
with such a loving, mild expression on its 
gigantic features, that she could not be afraid 
of her. She was about to speak when the 
fairy cord at her wrist stopped her and the 
fairy voice said : 

'^Patience, maiden, have no fear, 

A short time but tarry here. 

Pretend thou art indeed her child. 

Her heart is good, her temper mild. 

To have a child is her delight, 

’Twill harm thee not, and end aright.” 

Then Elsa bethought herself of Putzel, but 
no sooner was the thought formed in her 
123 


THE DIAMOND KING 


mind than the answer came in the fairy 
voice : 

‘‘ For thy friend set mind at rest, 

He’s safe within the good stork’s nest. 

Naught will harm him, and he’ll be 
Ere many days with thee set free.” 

Elsa had learned to have such confidence 
in the fairy voice that she resolved to make 
the best of the matter and play baby for the 
good giantess. She felt rather silly to be 
dressed in long baby clothes and have the 
giantess talk baby-talk to her, chucking her 
under the chin or poking her with her finger 
to make her smile; but worse even than 
these were the rocking and singing, and the 
singing was so loud that it made her ears 
ring. 

The giantess took great delight in Elsa^s 
long hair and brushed and curled it many 
times a day. The pleasantest part of the 
program was when the giantess put her into 
124 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 


a big baby carriage and had a giant nurse 
wheel her up and down in front of the castle, 
for then she breathed the fresh air and saw 
the trees and flowers and birds. 

Elsa did not dare speak, for fear they 
would discover that she was not a baby; but 
she kept her ears open and obtained a good 
deal of information on what was going on 
about her. She learned that the giant very 
seldom came home, that he had many tasks 
to do for the Little Man in Gray, who was 
master over all the fairy folk. She also 
learned that she had been brought thither 
by the stork. 

thank the good stork for bringing thee 
to me, thou sweet one,^’ the giantess one 
day said to her. The good stork has a nest 
on top of the castle, and I will show it to 
thee some day, thou pretty one.” 

Then Elsa understood what the fairy meant 
when she said that Putzel was in the stork^s 
nest, and she resolved to look for him when 
125 


THE DIAMOND KING 


the giantess should point out where the 
storks lived. That opportunity soon pre- 
sented itself. One day when the giantess 
herself took Elsa out for an airing, as she 
was fond of doing, she drew her attention to 
the nest on the roof, saying: 

^^Look up, little one, and see the good 
stork that brought thee to me, sitting on 
her nest. She loves her baby storks as I 
do thee, my precious!” 

Elsa looked up and saw’ the mother stork 
sitting serenely on her nest with her long 
legs folded under her, and her red bill rest- 
ing comfortably against her breast. She 
gazed intently, but the nest was at such a 
distance that she could not discern Putzel. 
The giantess, however, being so tall, could 
see much more accurately and exclaimed: 

^^Dost see the red bills of the baby storks 
peeping out from under the mother stork’s 
long wings? And what is that little creature 
peering over the edge of the nest? It looks 
126 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 

like some kind of a yellow beetle. Probably 
the stork has brought it for her babies.’^ 

Elsa felt sure that what the giantess took 
for a yellow beetle must be her own lost 



Putzel; but although she strained her eyes to 
the utmost, she could not see him. She 
imagined she heard his shrill bark of recog- 
nition, but the giantess said that the wind 
127 


THE DIAMOND KING 


was rising and beginning to rattle the case- 
ments of the castle, so Elsa thought she 
must have been mistaken. 

The giantess was very fond of singing to 
Elsa as she rocked her to sleep every evening, 
and sang legends of the giant’s goodness and 
valor, and of the trickery of the malicious 
dwarfs, as she termed the gnomes. One song 
that Elsa particularly liked was the story of 
the giantess who was taken away from her 
own child by the gnomes, and made to serve 
for a year and a day as nurse to the gnome 
king’s baby. The legend described her as 
seated by the cradle of her child, when the 
gnomes came swarming in by hundreds 
through the windows and in at the door, and 
seizing upon her, forced her away from her 
child, heedless of her entreaties and her re- 
sistance. Then, when the year and a day 
were ended, she was set free and returned to 
find her baby sleeping as peacefully as when 
she had left it, and not a day older. It 
128 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 

reminded Elsa of her own visit to Gnome- 
land when she thought she had been away 
for so long a time, and the giant had assured 
her that only one night had passed since he 
saw her. 

In spite, however, of the kindness with 
which Elsa was treated, the time passed 
heavily, for any little girl of Elsa’s age knows 
how tedious it must be to be dressed in long 
baby clothes and treated like a baby. She 
longed to run about once more and talk. 
Everybody knows the truth of the saying, 
“it is always darkest before daylight,” and 
at the very moment when Elsa was feeling 
the saddest and thinking that she could not 
possibly go on in this way much longer, the 
attention of all the inmates of the castle was 
directed into a new channel. The giantess 
received news one day that the lord of the 
castle, her giant husband, was coming home 
for a visit and might be expected at any 
moment. 


129 


THE DIAMOND KING 


From that instant all was excitement and 
confusion, and a general house-cleaning was 
at once begun, which consisted in turning 
everything topsy-turvy. The furniture was 
taken from every room and put upon the 
balconies and piazzas, where the dust was 
beaten out of it, the rugs were shaken and 
brushed, the draperies were taken down, 
freed from dust and shaken, — in fact, every 
square foot of the great castle was made as 
clean as brushes and soap and water could 
make it, for the giantess was an excellent 
housekeeper. 

While all this was going on, the castle 
kitchen was in as great a commotion. Cooks 
were running to and fro, putting huge loaves 
of cake into the oven, or taking them out 
baked to a turn and smelling most deliciously. 
Gigantic hams and roasted fowls, each one 
large enough for a company of soldiers, were 
placed in the pantries ready for use, to say 
nothing of yards and yards of gigantic sausages 
130 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 


of every description, and great dishes of 
beautifully garnished salads. 

The grounds also underwent the same reno- 
vating process. Flower beds were weeded, 
and garden walks rolled until not even a fly 
(a giant fly is about the size of one of the 
large tortoises in the London Zoological 
Gardens) could have walked over it without 
leaving its tracks behind. The pleasantest 
part of all this was the fact that these prepara- 
tions were made with great cheerfulness, as if 
all the workers wished to give pleasure to 
some one whom they loved. Each one spoke 
of ^Hhe master^’ with a smile, as if something 
very pleasant were about to happen. 

The happiest of all was the giant^s wife. 
She went about her work with a smile upon 
her large face, and could talk about nothing 
but the coming of her lord. 

^^Thou shalt see, my sweet one,’^ she would 
say to Elsa, what a splendid sire thou hast. 
There is none so strong and big and yet so 
131 


THE DIAMOND KING 


kind and gentle as he. He has a pleasant 
word for all, and would go out of his way to 
avoid treading on a fly; and if he is so good 
to all, what will he be to thee, his own precious 
child?” 

With these words the giantess would almost 
smother Elsa with great kisses, and rock her 
so violently that everything swam before her 
eyes. 

Yet in spite of these praises of the giant, 
and of the affection which she saw every 
member of the household felt for him, Elsa 
dreaded his return; ^Hor,” she reasoned to 
herself, if he should become as fond of me 
as the giantess is, how will it ever be possible 
for me to escape from here? And how can I 
hope to reach the Land of the After Glow 
where the Little Gray Man lives, or indeed 
ever return to my home?” 

In answer to these thoughts came a gentle 
twitch of the fairy cord and the fairy voice 
whispered : 


132 


ELSA MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 


'^Grieve not, dear maid, thou shalt not stay 
Here longer than another day. 

Keep a good heart, and thou wilt see 
How all things will come right for thee/’ 

Then Elsa took heart, for she remembered 
that the fairy’s words had always come true. 

Hardly had Elsa made this resolve, than 
a noise like a distant peal of thunder was 
heard, and the earth shook as if by an earth- 
quake. Elsa concluded that a storm was 
coming, but at the sound the giantess started 
to her feet, exclaiming joyfully: 

^^My lord has come! I know his step. 
Come, my pretty one, and greet thy sire.” 

The giantess caught up Elsa, and crossing 
the castle halls in great strides, reached the 
portals just as a gigantic form came into the 
courtyard. 

^^Look, my lord, the stork has been here 
in thy absence! See the beautiful child she 
has brought to thee!” cried the giantess. 

So saying, she held up Elsa in her arms 

133 


THE DIAMOND KING 


toward the giant, who took her carefully 
between the thumb and forefinger of one of 
his huge hands, and gazed for a moment into 
her face, then exclaimed in astonishment : 

^^Odds thunderbolts and chain-lightning! 
how earnest thou here, maiden? I had 
thought thee in the Land of the After Glow!’’ 

Elsa gave such a start at these words that 
she nearly fell off the giant’s hand, for the 
voice was that of her own kind giant Moun- 
tainstrider, and the dull, good-natured face 
was his very own. 


134 


CHAPTER IX 


ELSA AT LAST LEAVES THE LAND OF THE 
MIDDAY MOON 

TT would be hard to say which was the most 
A astonished at this unexpected meeting, the 
giant Mountainstrider or Elsa. She told 
him about her flight through the Land of 
the Midday Moon on the back of the stag- 
beetle, — how impossible it was to make him 
understand her story on account of his deaf- 
ness, — of his meeting with the other stag-beetle 
who persuaded him to go to the stag party of 
beetles, leaving her in the tree on the moun- 
tain, and that was the last she knew until she 
awoke to find herself in the arms of the giantess 
with these long cumbersome clothes on. 

see how it is, maiden,’^ said the giant, 
after his slowly working mind had thought 
135 


THE DIAMOND KING 


over the situation, the stork found thee 
sleeping there and took thee for a giant baby;’’ 
and the good-natured giant burst into one of 
his hearty fits of laughter that threatened 
so nearly to blow Elsa away, that the giantess 
was greatly frightened and took her into her 
own arms for safe keeping. 

^^How canst thou say such foolish things?” 
asked the giantess. “This is indeed a real 
baby that the good stork has brought me. 
Dost think she knows not a baby when she 
sees one?” and the giantess hugged Elsa so 
closely to her that the poor child was in 
danger of being strangled. 

“Didst thou not hear the maiden speak 
and tell her story to me? Does that not 
satisfy thy foolish mind?” said the giant, 
who in spite of his good disposition did not 
like to be contradicted; and besides that, 
giants believe that giantesses do not know 
as much as they do and must not disagree 
with their husbands. 


136 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


^^And if I did hear her speak, that is no 
reason why I should believe her story, replied 
the giantess obstinately. The child was 
sent to me, and I intend to keep her.’’ 

^^Thou shaft do no such thing,” replied the 
giant angrily, ^^give me the maiden directly, 
and I will send her on her way. She has 
undertaken a hard task for one of her years, 
and it were a shame to hinder her.” 

^^She is my baby, and I shall keep her,” 
replied the giantess in a determined tone, as 
she turned to carry off the child. 

“Stop!” thundered the giant in a voice 
that shook the castle to its foundation, “and 
give the maiden to me!” 

The giantess, who never dared to oppose 
her husband when he spoke in such loud 
tones, stopped short and burst into a torrent 
of weeping, as the giant lifted Elsa from her 
arms. 

Elsa had been terrified at the giant’s 
laughter, but how much worse was the giant- 
137 


THE DIAMOND KING 


ess^s crying! Her loud boo-hoos, just like 
the crying of an angry child, only so much 
louder, echoed through the lofty castle and 
shook it until the walls trembled. 

“Cease thy childish weeping commanded 
the giant angrily. “Thou wilt affright the 
maiden with thy loud wails; and see to it 
that the garments in which she came are 
returned to her, in place of the trailing 
rags.’^ 

Thus reproved, the giantess endeavored to 
control her tears, and departed in search of 
Elsa’s own clothes: but her grief at losing 
the pretty plaything she had enjoyed was 
great, and a loud sob that could not be kept 
down occasionally reverberated through the 
castle halls. 

“ Now, maiden, so soon as thou hast on thy 
own clothes, we will start once more upon 
thy long journey. This time I will not trust 
thee to the beetles. I knew them to be dull 
of mind, but I thought them trustworthy.” 

138 




THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


First would you mind getting Putzel for 
me, please?” asked Elsa. am sure he is 
in the stork’s nest on that tall tower.” 

The giant ordered one of his serving men 
to scale the tower and bring back the little 
dog he would find there. The young giant 
obeyed, and soon returned, holding the miss- 
ing Putzel very carefully in his closed hand, 
for fear he might slip through his fingers and 
be killed falling from such a great height. As 
he presented him to the giant, he opened his 
hand with the greatest caution, one great 
finger at a time, much as a boy does with a tiny 
insect he has caught, and which he fears will 
fly away again unless he is very careful. 

When the young giant saw Putzel run about 
upon the giant’s broad palm, and heard his 
tiny voice in the joyful bark of recognition 
he gave when he espied Elsa, his face broke 
into a smile of amusement. 

The meeting between the two friends was 
an affectionate one. Elsa almost cried for 
139 


THE DIAMOND KING 


joy as she hugged the little dog closely to her, 
and he on his part fairly howled aloud. 

While the two were still caressing one 
another, the giantess appeared with Elsa^s 
clothes. The poor giantess’s face was swollen 
from weeping, and looked so mournful that 
Elsa could but pity her in spite of her hurry 
to depart. 

“Please don’t scold the giantess any more,” 
said Elsa to the giant, as he took her upon 
his hand after she had taken an affectionate 
leave of the giantess. “She has been very 
kind to me, and she is so disappointed to have 
to let me go.” 

“Fear not, maiden,” replied the giant. 
“The stork will soon bring her another baby 
to comfort her.” 

As the giant bore Elsa swiftly away, she 
saw the huge figure of the giantess standing- 
in the courtyard of the castle gazing sorrow- 
fully after them, and heard her loud sobs 
whistling through the tall forest trees beneath 
140 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


them. She felt very sorry for the good- 
hearted giantess, and hoped the stork would 
not forget her. 

So long were the giant’s strides that before 
many hours they came to the border of the 
Land of the Midday Moon. There he came 
to a standstill and gazed about him, evidently 
wrapt in meditation. Elsa judged from the 
anxious expression of his countenance that 
he was thinking of the best means to trans- 
port her through that land, and took care 
not to interrupt his thoughts. 

While the giant was still meditating, a 
rustling of the bushes was heard, and at the 
sound the giant looked about him, then gave 
a low whistle, or what for him was a low 
whistle, but which sounded to Elsa like the 
shriek of a locomotive. A gigantic rabbit 
with long soft white fur hopped at the giant’s 
feet. 

Didst thou call. Master?” asked the rab- 
bit. “What is thy will?” 

141 


THE DIAMOND KING 


“ Canst thou carry this 
maiden and her companion safely 
through the Land of the Midday 
Moon?^^ asked the giant. 

^^That can replied the rabbit, 
for thou knowest well that it pleases 
me not to loiter on the way. In fact, 
how could I if I would? Come, 
maiden, seat thyself on my 
breast and 
mind that 




142 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 


thou boldest fast, or it might be worse for 
thee/^ 

'^She means upon her back, maiden,’’ said 
the giant, as he placed her and Putzel upon 
the rabbit’s broad back. She sank into the 
long soft fur, and before she had time to bid 
the giant farewell and thank him for his kind- 
ness, the rabbit was off, bounding in long leaps 
over bushes and stones, until the wind whistled 
through her long pink ears. 

‘^1 shouldn’t wonder if it were the Easter 
rabbit,” said Elsa to herself. ^^The Easter 
rabbit must be very large to lay so many eggs. 
Please, are you the Easter rabbit?” she asked 
timidly. The Easter rabbit lays such beauti- 
ful eggs on Easter Sunday, you know, and 
hides • them in all kinds of queer places, so 
that children may hunt for them.” 

^^Yes,” replied the rabbit, am she.” 

I didn’t expect to find you here,” said Elsa, 
didn’t expect to be here myself,” replied 
the rabbit, ^^but the fact is, my dear, that I 
143 


THE DIAMOND KING 


had so many eggs to lay that I couldn^t lay 
them all, and got crazy just from thinking 
about it. So I came here, because I didn’t 
like to be different from everybody else. How 
dost thou like this way of travelling? Upside 
down, you know.” 

^^But I’m not upside down, I’m right side 
up.” 

Yes, I know thou art, but I’m not,” replied 
the Easter rabbit. ^H’m upside down all 
the time, I can’t be any other way.” 

Elsa thought it more prudent not to at- 
tempt to convince her that she was on her 
four feet, and that it was her poor brain that 
was upside down, so she let the matter drop. 

^Ht is better for me to live in the Land of 
the Midday Moon,” continued the Easter 
rabbit. “It seems more natural here, be- 
cause everything is topsy-turvy. Even the 
moon is crazy. Where else does the moon 
shine in the middle of the day, pray?” 

^^True,” replied Elsa, “I never thought of 
144 


/ 


THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY MOON 

it before. I never heard animals talk in any 
other place either.’^ 

Of course thou never didst, for this is the 
only land where things are topsy-turvy.’^ 

In spite of the Easter rabbit’s peculiar 
notions, she seemed to be very conscientious, 
for she sped on her way without so much as 
stopping to take breath. Many times Elsa 
heard the howls of wild beasts, saw their huge 
forms prowling among the wastes through 
which they passed, and caught sight of snarl- 
ing and grim countenances. The Easter 
rabbit, however, did not swerve from her 
course, and before sunset, or rather moonset, 
for in that land the moon takes the place of 
the sun, she came to a halt before a long line 
of hills. 

^^Here,” she said, ^^ends the Land of the 
Midday Moon, and yonder lies the Land of the 
Starlit-Day. I can go no farther, for such 
is the will of the master whom we all obey, 
the Little Man in Gray.” 

145 


THE DIAMOND KING 


must be a very powerful little man, 
if even the great giants have to obey him,” 
said Elsa. “I am in search of him, but I 
sometimes think I shall never succeed in 
reaching him.” 

Before Elsa had finished, the Easter rabbit 
was off, not waiting to receive her thanks for 
the faithful service she had rendered Elsa. 
Clasping Putzel closely in her arms, Elsa 
turned her steps toward the mountains that 
lay before her. 


146 


CHAPTER X 


ELSA REACHES THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 
AND ONCE MORE BECOMES A PRISONER 

TT was not a very hard task for Elsa to 
^ climb the mountain range, for the path 
was smooth and not so steep as she had 
supposed, and before long she reached the 
summit and obtained a view of what lay 
beyond. It was different from anything she 
had ever seen before, but there was not a 
doubt in her mind that before her lay the 
Land of the Starlit-Day. The bright blue sky 
above was full of myriads of twinkling stars, 
the rivers and lakes, which were plentiful, 
sparkled and glittered as they reflected them, 
the earth glistened like the diamond dust 
in the domain of the Diamond King, and 
even the leaves of the trees twinkled and 
147 


THE DIAMOND KING 


glittered as when the sun shines on a drop 
of dew. 

Yet with all this brilliancy, there was 
something lacking to make it enjoyable, and 
at first Elsa hardly knew what it was; but 
as she gazed at the dazzling scene, a cold, 
white glitter meeting her eyes everywhere, a 
sudden shiver seized her, and she said aloud : 

I know what it is I miss — it is the dear sun, 
who sends down her rays to warm the earth 
that she cares for. I know, too, for I have 
read all about it, how when the young sprouts 
are growing and are too tender to bear her 
strong rays, she knits and knits until she has 
clouds enough, and then come down the 
gentle showers. It is a long time since I have 
seen her, the dear sun!^^ 

These thoughts made Elsa rather home- 
sick, but like all brave little girls she tried to 
conquer this feeling and remember how much 
worse off than she were the children in the 
diamond mines. At the same time she felt 
148 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 


a twitch of the silken cord at her wrist and 
heard the fairy voice say these words: 

Despair not, maiden, though hard is the way 
That leads through the Land of the Starlit-Day. 

Go boldly on, remember no harm 

Overtakes thee while magic cord’s on thy arm.” 

^^It is true/^ said Elsa to herself. ^^The 
fairy always helps me out, and I will trust 
her.” So saying she descended rapidly the 
path that led into the land before her. 

No living creature was in sight, amid all 
the splendor before her, except brilliantly 
plumaged birds that flew in and out of the 
groves or flew high up toward the starlit sky. 
As Elsa went on, however, she found she was 
mistaken in thinking the birds the only occu- 
pants of the country. Here and there tiny 
faces looked up at her from behind mossy 
stones, or peeped out from the flowers that 
bloomed on all sides; but, although Elsa 
quickly strode to the spot and hunted far 
149 


THE DIAMOND KING 


and wide, not a trace of the faces was to be 
seen. As she went on the faces appeared 
oftener, and once she surprised a little form 
diving into a harebell that grew in her path, 
but although she gazed into it and shook it 
till it rang again, not a vestige of the fairy 
form could she discover. 

After a long time spent in this manner, 
when she decided that it was useless to at- 
tempt to surprise the fairy folk, and even 
after Putzel had ceased to chase after them 
and sniff about their hiding places, she noticed 
what seemed to her an immense swarm of 
insects in the far distance coming toward her. 

As she gazed in astonishment she saw the 
same appearance on either side and also 
behind her. The masses moved steadily on, 
every moment bringing them nearer. Soon 
she saw that they were not insects as she 
supposed, but tiny beings in human shape, 
and she understood then that the inhabitants 
of the Starlit-Day were elves. 

150 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 


Nearer and nearer came the elves, and as 
they approached her the swarms coming 
from different directions neared one another, 
until they formed an unbroken circle. Elsa 
understood that this was done with a purpose 
and that she was surrounded; and although 
she knew she had done no harm she felt very 
uncomfortable, for such numbers of elves, 
tiny as they were, could work much mischief. 
Any one who has been attacked by a swarm 
of mosquitoes can readily understand that. 
As for Putzel, he too felt the danger that was 
threatening his beloved mistress, and growl- 
ing fiercely, with every hair along his spine 
bristling with indignation and anger, placed 
himself in front of her, ready to defend her 
to the last. 

When they had come near enough for Elsa 
to discern the minute faces of the elves, they 
came to a stop. Every face was frowning 
with ill will, and all the myriads of angry 
eyes were directed toward her. A warlike 
151 


THE DIAMOND KING 


little figure, the commander-in-chief of the 
army, stepped forth from the number, and 
drawing his sword, that was about the 
size of a number twelve cambric needle, 
addressed her in a voice that squealed with 
anger : 

^^Halt, giant maiden! In the name of the 
king we bid thee halt!^’ 

^‘1 am halting,’^ replied Elsa fearlessly, for 
the elf was so very small and his voice so 
faint and weak, in spite of his fierce ex- 
pression, that she could not feel any fear 
of him, ^^but I am not a giant, I am only 
a little girl.’^ 

The elf commander paid no attention to 
Elsa’s remarks, but replied in these severe 
words : 

Giant maiden, I arrest thee in the king’s 
name! Elves, do your duty!” 

At these words the army of elves swarmed 
towards Elsa, and she found herself borne 
along in spite of all the resistance she was 
152 


/ 

THE LAND OF THE STARLIT- DAY 

capable of making. Putzel shared the same 
fate ; he too, in spite of his snarling and snap- 
ping, was hurried along after his mistress. 



Although Elsa resisted every step of the 
way, holding back or trying to spring forward, 
and every moment protesting against the 
injustice of her arrest, she found herself borne 
along as if by a strong gale, and just as power- 
153 


THE DIAMOND KING 


less to oppose it. Before long they came to 
a large rock that was completely covered by 
velvety moss, and before which a fir balsam 
dropped its graceful boughs in such a manner 
as to wholly conceal it. Before this spot 
the elf army came to a halt, and the com- 
mander-in-chief stepping up to the rock 
struck it lightly with his slender sword, while 
he repeated the following words : 

^‘Veil of moss and bough of tree, 

Open quickly unto me; 

Prisoners with me I bring, 

And seek audience with the king.” 

No sooner were these words spoken than 
the fir balsam raised its fragrant branches 
from before the moss-grown rock and the 
rock itself rolled aside. The commander- 
in-chief entered, followed by the whole army 
bearing the prisoners. At first Elsa’s eyes 
were nearly blinded by the dazzling light 
that was reflected from the crystal walls. 

154 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 


Stars of great brilliancy twinkled everywhere 
and star-lit fountains splashed and starry 
rivers flowed on every side. Through these 
ways Elsa was borne along with the same 
swiftness that had hurried her on the other 
side of the rocky door, and in a short time 
found she was approaching the presence of 
the elf-king. Although the entrances to the 
royal presence were guarded by sentinels 
who saluted the commander-in-chief and his 
aids as they passed, she observed that the 
guard was strengthened as they progressed, 
and after passing through a body of elf troops 
that were drawn up on either side of the way, 
the commander-in-chief halted. 

At the first glance about her, Elsa could 
hardly distinguish objects, but gradually her 
eyes adapted themselves to the brilliancy. 
The audience hall, for such it seemed to be, 
was built of the clearest crystal, and from 
the arched dome above hung long shining 
pendants; the brilliant sparkling light that 
155 


THE DIAMOND KING 


abounded everywhere being reflected in rain- 
bow colors. 

On a lofty golden throne, thickly studded 
with precious stones, sat the elf-king, a tiny 
golden crown, studded with jewels, flashing 
from his head. Royal robes of exquisite 
tints and texture, made by secret skill known 
only to the elves, fell about his little person, 
while in his hand a sceptre carved from a 
solid diamond sent forth blinding rays of 
light. The commander-in-chief of the army 
saluted this small but imposing being. 

Whom have ye brought to our pres- 
ence? demanded the elf-king in a voice that, 
although feeble and squeaky as it naturally 
would be coming from such a little pair of 
lungs, yet had an imposing and dignified 
ring to it. 

“Two prisoners, your Majesty,^’ replied 
the commander-in-chief. “ The giant maiden, 
whom we have been expecting, and her com- 
panion.^^ 


156 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 


Tis well/’ answered the king. Then 
turning to Elsa, he continued: ^^We have 
been on the watch for thee, giant maiden, 
ever since we heard that thou wert abroad 
on thy pretended mission.” 

A glance at the army of elves, that had 
closed in solidly about her, convinced Elsa 
that all attempt at escape would be use- 
less, and that her only hope lay in touch- 
ing the heart of the elf-king. So clasping 
her hands imploringly, she said with much 
feeling : 

^^Oh, most powerful king, do take pity on 
me! I am not a giant maiden, but only a 
little girl; and I was so sorry for the poor 
children in the diamond mines that I made 
up my mind to seek the Little Man in Gray 
and beseech him to force the cruel Diamond 
King to let them go back to their homes. 
Oh, if you only knew how many hardships 
I have had to undergo, I am sure you would 
not have the heart to keep me here.” 

157 


THE DIAMOND KING 


^^The Diamond King is our royal brother/’ 
said the elf-king coldly, ^^and we know how 
little truth there is in thy pretended story.” 

^^Oh, pray believe me!” cried Elsa; per- 
haps you have never been there and don’t 
know how cruel he is; how he forces the 
little children to work underground in the 
diamond mines and never lets them go back 
to their homes.” 

Peace, maiden!” commanded the elf-king 
sternly. ^^Such talk is useless. We know 
our royal brother too well to believe such 
reports.” 

^^Oh, dear me!” moaned Elsa, ^^what shall 
I do? What shall I do?” 

^^And if this were not enough,” resumed 
the monarch, deaf to her distress, ^^we have 
heard of thy conduct in the domains of our 
royal cousin, the king of the gnomes.” 

did no harm there,” cried poor Elsa, 
was as patient as I could be with those 
spoiled royal children, and poor Putzel drew 
158 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT- DAY 


them patiently in their coach, and he hates 
to go in harness.” 

^^We will listen to no more of such tales,” 
said the elf-king severely. ^^We know how 
thou madest thy escape from Gnome-land. 
By upsetting the royal coach, the royal chil- 
dren received dire bruises, and the crown 
prince received such a severe blow on the head 
that he has had a swelled head ever since. 
Thus patiently did thy Putzel do his work!” 

don’t care,” exclaimed Elsa, forgetting 
all her prudent resolves, ^Hhe royal children 
were a quarrelsome, disagreeable set, and it 
serves them right to have a good shaking up ! 
And I am glad the crown prince was hurt, 
for he was the worst of all, and was always 
saying that he would have everybody’s head 
chopped off so soon as he was king.” 

Dead silence followed this audacious speech, 
in which the courtiers and officers looked at 
one another as if each asked the other if he 
could have heard aright, and if these re- 
159 


THE DIAMOND KING 


bellious words were indeed spoken. As for 
the elf-king, he looked as if he were about to 
burst with indignation at the affront offered 
his majesty. He was, however, the first to 
recover himself, and shrieked" in his shrill 
voice : 

^^To the crystal labyrinth with the pris- 
oners! Guard them well! Thou art strong, 
giant maiden, but thou must needs have 
wings to scale those crystal walls or escape 
from the Land of the Starlit-Day.’’ With 
this the elf-king waved his diamond sceptre, 
the commander-in-chief placed himself at 
the head of his forces, gave the order to 
march, and poor Elsa and Putzel were hurried 
away in spite of Elsa’s cries for mercy and 
Putzel’s savage barking. 

On they went, through the magic rock 
that guarded the entrance to the elf-king’s 
palace, through the starlit groves and by 
the sparkling rivers, until they stood before 
a lofty and spacious building of transparent 
160 


THE LAND OF THE STARLIT-DAY 


crystal. The commander-in-chief struck upon 
the shining wall with his sword, and a sound 
as of crystal chimes arose as he spoke these 
despairing words: 

‘‘Open thy fair portals wide 
And take these prisoners inside. 

When once within, they will remain, 

And never issue forth again.” 


No sooner were these words spoken than 
the crystal wall opened, and Elsa and Putzel 
were blown in as if by a strong blast of wind. 
The wall fell back into place, and poor Elsa 
and her faithful Putzel were alone within 
the crystal labyrinth, their prison. 


161 


CHAPTER XI 


ELSA ESCAPES FROM THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 

N O sooner had the wall of the crystal 
labyrinth closed than Elsa rushed to- 
ward it, beating frantically upon it in the 
vain hope of forcing it asunder, but it re- 
mained one solid piece of crystal, not even 
a seam or crack showing that it had been 
opened. Through the clear crystal she saw 
the elf army slowly passing out of sight, and 
watched them until the rear ranks had dis- 
appeared over the brow of the neighboring 
hill. Even their companionship, hostile as 
their feelings were toward her, would be more 
welcome, she reasoned, than the solitude of 
this prison. As she gazed despairingly after 
the retreating host of her enemies, she felt 
a gentle tap from Putzel’s paw, and turned 
162 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


to find him gazing at her with a countenance 
full of compassion and sympathy. 

^^You dear Putzel/’ cried Elsa, stooping 
to caress the faithful little creature, ^^how 
could I forget that I have you to comfort me 
and bear me company? We will keep to- 
gether, and so long as I have you I ought 
not to despair.’’ 

Putzel expressed very eloquently in dog 
language that he fully appreciated the senti- 
ments of his dear mistress, and that he would 
give his life, if need be, for her sake. After 
this mutual expression of good feeling they 
found themselves in a happier frame of mind, 
and Elsa determined to explore her prison, 
and try to find a chance for escape. So off 
she started on an exploring expedition, Put- 
zel bounding merrily on before. 

The prisoners had been left in a large apart- 
ment that was evidently the antechamber 
of the prison, and from it led in every direc- 
tion long and narrow passages. One of these 
163 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Elsa took at random, and rambled on. It 
wound in and out in the most intricate manner, 
and new passageways branched off at every 
turn. 

Before Elsa had gone very far strains of 
sweet music reached her ears, like the sound 
of melodious voices singing in chorus. She 
followed the direction of the sounds, over- 
joyed to have at last the prospect of meeting 
living creatures. The voices grew nearer 
and nearer, and turning a sharp corner she 
came upon a band of elves at play; but as 
she approached, the voices, that had sounded 
so melodiously a moment before, changed 
to harsh, clanging tones and shrill shrieks. 
Every face was distorted with a disagreeable 
expression, and every form was grotesque 
and misshapen. When they beheld Elsa 
they all took flight, each one, before he passed 
out of sight, screwing his ill-natured visage 
into an expression of scornful derision. 

'^This must be an enchanted place,” said 
164 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


Elsa aloud, and Putzel gave her to under- 
stand that he thought so too. 

On and on the two lonely companions 
wandered, through myriads of passageways, 
one exactly like the other, until Elsa was 
so bewildered that she had not the slightest 
idea from which direction she had come. 
When, weary and footsore, she decided to 
sit down and rest for a while, she heard in 
the distance the songs of many birds singing 
most j oyously . This put renewed life into her, 
and away she and Putzel sped in the direction 
of the sweet sounds; but alas, she was once 
more doomed to disappointment, for when 
she reached the spot whence the tuneful 
sounds issued, it was to be greeted by harsh 
squeaks from birds with long and hideous 
beaks and ungainly bodies. All of them 
fled at her approach, redoubling their dis- 
cordant cries, and menacing her with their 
ugly beaks. 

^^We will go no farther, Putzel,^^ cried 

165 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Elsa, sinking to the ground in exhaustion. 

am faint with hunger and thirst, and am 
tired of these disappointments.’’ 

As Elsa spoke, she saw before her an 
orchard of delicious-looking fruit, and in the 
midst of it a spring of clear water bubbled 
and gurgled with a sound that was music 
to her ears. Quickly rising and approaching 
the orchard, she reached up her hand to 
seize a red-cheeked apple that hung tempt- 
ingly just before her eyes. To her surprise 
the apple at once bobbed out of reach. She 
tried another and still another, but with the 
same result each time. 

Greatly irritated by this disappointment, 
and almost parched with thirst, Elsa stooped 
to drink at the bubbling spring; but as her 
lips were about to touch the limpid water, 
it suddenly became foul and discolored, and 
she arose to her feet disgusted and dis- 
heartened. 

As Elsa gazed about her, undecided what 
166 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


to do next, she saw in the distance a snow- 
covered mountain. 

that is real snow/^ said Elsa, can 
eat some of it and it will quench my thirst 
somewhat.” 

So she went forward, followed by Putzel 
with drooping head and tail, and soon reached 
the snow region. She eagerly stooped to 
pick up a handful of the beautiful white 
mass that lay before her, but as suddenly 
threw it down with a scream of pain, for it 
burnt her hand as if she had seized upon a 
live coal. 

^^It is strange how cruel the little elves 
are,” said Elsa as she blew upon her fingers 
to cool them, while the great giants are so 
good-natured and kind.” 

Even while she spoke the snow-covered 
mountain before her disappeared, and in its 
place stood a mountain from whose summit 
flames were issuing. Fiery streams flowed 
down its sides and reached to Elsa^s very feet. 
167 


THE DIAMOND KING 


suppose/’ said Elsa, “that as the snow 
here is red hot, that the fire is icy cold.” 
Curious to see if this were the case, she cau- 
tiously touched the tip of one of her fingers 
to the fiery stream. It was as cold as the 
coldest ice. 

“This is a dreadful place!” cried poor Elsa. 
“There are deceptions everywhere, and noth- 
ing is real or natural. I cannot bear it any 
longer.” 

At that moment the silken cord, which she 
had forgotten, gave a gentle twitch at her 
arm, and the fairy voice that she had learned 
to love said : 

“ Despair not, maiden, I am here. 

Even in this prison drear. 

Go farther on, steps thoudt see. 

Mount, and soon thou wilt be free.’^ 

At these hopeful words Elsa forgot her 
weariness, and Putzel, his head and tail no 
longer hanging down dejectedly, bounding 
168 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 

in front of her, she set off once more. In a 
few moments she came upon some spiral 
steps that led upward, and she eagerly sprang 
up them. Higher and higher she went until 
it seemed to her as if they had no end, but 
at last she found herself in a little balcony, 
with the fresh air about her and no crystal 
walls to shut her in. 

don^t see as I am any better off than I 
was before,’’ said Elsa, as she looked cau- 
tiously down at the ground so far below her 
that she could hardly discern one object 
from another. No sooner had she spoken 
than she felt the well-known twitch at her 
wrist, and the fairy voice spoke : 

Elves can enchant, and so can we, 

We do it best, as thou wilt see; 

Thy faithful friend shall have the power 
To free thee from this lofty tower.” 

As soon as the voice ceased, Elsa saw a 
change stealing over Putzel. His little black 
169 


THE DIAMOND KING 


snub nose grew into a long flat bill, and over 
his shoulders grew strong wings. In a 
moment in place of the little Putzel there 
was a large white swan. As if he knew what 
was expected of him, he waddled up to where 
Elsa stood and squatted down. Without a 
word Elsa placed herself upon his broad soft 
back, he spread his long white wings, and, 
sailing from the balcony, flew downward 
until he lighted upon a knoll at a short dis- 
tance from the crystal labyrinth. No sooner 
had he touched the ground than the white 
feathers and long bill disappeared, and little 
yellow Putzel with his black pug nose stood 
in his place. 

While Elsa was considering what direction 
led from Elflnland, the elves themselves were 
in a state of great excitement. They had 
seen from a distance the flight of the swan 
from the high tower of the crystal labyrinth. 
Foreboding the escape of their prisoner, and 
filled with curiosity to learn the meaning of 
170 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


the occurrence, the commander-in-chief at 
once ordered his largest dragon-fly that served 
as his war horse, and quickly mounting it, 
and ordering his aids to follow on their 
draff on-flies. 



and flew away with all speed, nor drew rein 
until he arrived at the crystal labyrinth. 

No sooner had Elsa discovered the com- 
mander-in-chief and his aids approaching, 
than a great fear took possession of her, for 
the horrors of the crystal labyrinth were still 
fresh in her mind, and she felt that she could 
not endure another imprisonment there; but 


171 


( 

THE DIAMOND KING 

the fairy cord reminded her that her power- 
ful fairy friend had not forgotten her, and the 
gentle voice spoke these words: 

“ An eagle bold thy steed shalt be^ 

No thing that flies is swift as he, 

To the shore of the moon-lit sea then haste, 

But not an instant must thou waste.’’ 


As the fairy voice ended, a gigantic eagle 
with fiery eye and long, strong pinions ap- 
peared where the little Putzel a moment before 
had stood. Without delay Elsa mounted 
upon his strong back, and he began soaring 
up to the starlit sky. Elsa could see, as she 
ascended, the angry countenance of the com- 
mander-in-chief, and hear his squeaking tones 
of vexation and disappointment at having 
lost his prisoners; but every stroke of the 
eagle’s powerful wings took her farther away, 
and soon all objects on earth were lost to 
view. The commander-in-chief made no at- 
tempt to follow; he knew the uselessness of 
172 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


such an undertaking, and understood that 
his prisoners were under the protection of 
some powerful fairy. 

Higher and higher sped the eagle, until 
the silvery stars glistened about them, and 
clouds of shining vapor enveloped them. 
Elsa drew deep breaths of the clear air and 
rejoiced in her freedom. On and on the 
eagle went in the midst of the shining stars, 
then gradually Elsa felt him descending in 
wide circles, and far below she discovered 
the outlines of snow-capped mountains. Then 
occasional seas and rivers appeared, and 
when lower down, large tracts of forest 
trees. 

The starlit sky was no longer above 
them, and Elsa knew that they had passed 
the border of Elfinland. This gave her great 
relief, for her sojourn there had been fraught 
with misery. She knew that many trials 
must beset her before she reached the Land 
of the After Glow, but she could not have 
173 


THE DIAMOND KING 


much farther to go, and she hoped that 
the worst part of her journey was behind 
her. 

Every circle of the eagle brought them 
nearer the earth, and at last he alighted on 
the shore of a large body of water. The full 
moon stood overhead, and its silvery beams 
were reflected from the waves that rippled 
upon the beach of shining pebbles. No 
ordinary pebbles were they, but precious 
stones of great size and lustre. No sooner 
did the eagle alight, than his form gradually 
resolved itself into that of the faithful 
Putzel. 

The two friends stood on the shining beach 
and gazed over the glittering water. No 
land was in sight before them, and no living 
creature to be seen. The only sound heard 
was the gentle lapping of the water upon 
the bright-hued stones. 

“AVhat next, do you think, Putzel?’’ asked 
Elsa, for she felt she must speak aloud in 
174 


THE CRYSTAL LABYRINTH 


order to break the stillness about her. In 
answer to her question came the fairy voice: 

^‘One skipper alone dare sail this sea, 

And shortly he will come for thee. 

If thou shouldst speak, all would be lost, 

Into the waves thou wouldst be tossed. 

The Racket-man* is the skipper brave 
Who ventures o’er this restless wave.” 

As the voice ended, a two-masted vessel 
was seen rapidly sailing toward them. All 
her sails were set, and, although but a light 
breeze was blowing, she ploughed through the 
water at such a high rate of speed that the 
silvery foam was thrown high into the air 
as her prow divided the moonlit water and 
a broad shining wake followed her. 

As the vessel neared the beach, Elsa saw 
no signs of life on board of her. When within 
a short distance the magic vessel hove to, 
and a boat was lowered into the water. She 


' Klabotermann, in whom the sailors of the German Ocean believe, 

175 


THE DIAMOND KING 


glided rapidly toward Elsa and her bow was 
grounded on the beach. Without an instant’s 
hesitation Elsa first lifted in Putzel and then 
stepped aboard herself. The boat silently 
headed for the waiting vessel, and in a few 
moments was alongside. 


CHAPTER XII 


THE LITTLE RACKET-MAN GUIDES THE VESSEL 
SAFELY THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 

TT THEN Elsa reached the magic vessel she 
^ ^ found the steps directly in front of her. 
Taking Putzel under one arm, she at once 
ascended and found herself on the deck. Not 
a living creature was in sight, but the boat 
in which she had come was raised by means 
of pulleys and placed on the davits, the steps 
hauled up, and the vessel headed toward the 
open water. 

Strange and mysterious as all this was, Elsa 
had seen so much of the mystic workings 
of Fairyland that she was not alarmed, and 
at once set about exploring the vessel. Di- 
rectly in front of her was the hatchway, and, 
longing for a comfortable place in which to 
177 


THE DIAMOND KING 


rest, she lost no time in descending the com- 
panion ladder. She found herself in a com- 
modious cabin furnished in a most luxurious 
manner, and containing two neatly made 
berths; while just beyond, leading from the 
cabin, was a little dining saloon, where stood 
a table set forth with dainty dishes filled 
with tempting viands. 

Mindful of her experience with the tempt- 
ing apples and the sparkling water in the 
crystal labyrinth, Elsa approached the table 
with great caution, and reached her hand 
toward a bunch of grapes, half expecting to 
see it withdrawn from her grasp. To her 
surprise, however, her fingers closed upon the 
cool velvety fruit, and the taste exceeded in 
delicacy of flavor that of any grapes she had 
ever eaten. 

Other viands were tasted with the same 
result, and the two wanderers partook of a 
most enjoyable repast. 

Elsa observed with surprise that a smaller 
178 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


table with a seat before it was set out for 
one, and her curiosity was excited as to the 
person for whom such pains were taken. 
While this thought was passing through her 
mind the fairy voice spoke the words: 

^‘Choice viands so tempting, 

At table a chair, 

We never may see him. 

Yet ever he’s there. 

Howe’er the sea rises. 

Through bad storms he can 
Guide the good ship in safety. 

The small Racket-man.” 

These words gave Elsa a feeling of security, 
and satisfied that the little Racket-man had 
the vessel in charge, she went to bed in one 
of the berths, while Putzel took possession 
of the other one, and in a few moments both 
were fast asleep. 

Elsa^s sleep was not of long duration, how- 
ever, for she was awakened before many 
hours to find the vessel pitching about in a 
179 


THE DIAMOND KING 


heavy sea. At one moment her head was so 
high in the air that it seemed as if she were 
standing upright, and the next the order was 
reversed, her feet were up and her head was 
down. At the same time a great clattering 
and banging was heard, as if heavy substances 
were being rolled about. Elsa tried to rise 
to see what was going on, but the fairy cord 
at her wrist twitched gently, and the voice 
said: 

A gale in the air, a swell in the sea, 

But the skipper is there, keeping watch over thee. 
The cargo he’s shifting, the vessel to trim. 

Soon clouds will be lifting, trust all then to him.” 

After hearing these words Elsa made no 
further attempt to rise, but decided to remain 
in bed and trust to the skill of the mysterious 
skipper. For a while she lay listening to the 
racket overhead, wishing she might catch a 
glimpse of the little Racket-man at work, but 
gradually the winds and waves subsided, 
180 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


the noise ceased, and Elsa was once more 
asleep. 

The next morning Elsa looked at the table 
set for the little Racket-man, and to her 
surprise found that the dishes were all empty. 
After making a hearty breakfast from the good 
things set out for her, and feeding Putzel, 
the two went on deck. Although Elsa knew 
from her feelings that it must be morning, 
the moon was still shining as it did the 
night before, and its silvery beams lighted 
up the broad wake made by the magic 
vessel. 

Fairyland is beautiful,’^ said Elsa to her- 
self, “but this eternal moonlight and star- 
light are not like our sunlight. How I long 
to feel it once again 

She looked over the water that lay about 
her, and so far as her eyes could see, no object 
was in sight. As she gazed, however, a dark 
speck appeared in the distance. It was 
coming rapidly toward her she knew, for 
181 


THE DIAMOND KING 


every instant it grew larger, and soon it 
took the shape of a ship with all her sails set. 



Elsa had 
thought that the 
ship she was in 
was sailing swiftly, 
but its speed was 
as nothing com- 
pared to this corn- 
ing craft. Without a sign of life on board, she 
passed with such swiftness that she seemed to 
182 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


fly over the water like a bird, and passed out of 
sight as suddenly as she had appeared. Before 
Elsa had time to wonder what the strange 
craft could be, the fairy voice whispered: 

“ Tis the Flying Dutchman, doomed to ride 
For ages long on the restless tide. 

Year after year, and never a word 
From him or his crew has ever been heard. 

For many years more he must sail o’er the sea, 

Till those who doomed him set him free.” 

They passed no sail after this, and Elsa 
gazed into the water where occasionally she 
saw fishes swimming. The air grew colder, 
and she now saw whales spouting in the 
distance and caught glimpses of their huge 
black bodies. At last the air became so 
cold that she was driven below, but hardly 
had she taken refuge there than she heard 
the wind whistling through the shrouds and 
felt the vessel tossing about. 

The silence was becoming irksome, for 

183 


THE DIAMOND KING 


although Elsa could talk to Putzel, he could 
not answer in her language. She thought a 
good deal about the little Racket-man, and 
although she was forbidden to speak to him, 
she was very curious to catch a glimpse of him. 
He must be somewhere about, she knew, in the 
midst of such a storm, and curiosity getting 
the better of her, she resolved to take a peep. 

The fairy did not say that I must not 
look at him,^’ said Elsa to herself, ^^and surely 
that can do no harm.’’ So, bidding Putzel 
remain below, she mounted to the deck and 
gazed cautiously about her. 

The waves were mountain high and crested 
with white foam that glistened in the moon- 
light. Occasionally one swept the deck. Elsa 
looked in vain for the Racket-man, and had 
just come to the conclusion that he was a 
myth, when her eyes fell upon an object that 
sent a thrill through her. Astride the jib- 
boom, with his back toward her and gazing 
far out to sea, sat a little man, silent and 
184 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


motionless amid the howling of the wind 
and the creaking and rattling of the vessel. 
Fearing that she might have done wrong in 
surprising him, Elsa turned, and, fleeing down 
the companion ladder, rejoined Putzel, who 
waited for her with great anxiety. 

^^Oh, Putzel, I have seen the Racket-man!’’ 
she exclaimed in great excitement. There 
is really such a being, and it is true that he 
sails the vessel!” 

The storm kept on in all its fury, and the 
vessel was tossed about like an egg-shell. 
Still Elsa felt no fear, but she thought con- 
stantly of the little figure she had seen look- 
ing far over the stormy waters, and wondering 
if he were still there. At last she could resist 
no longer the temptation to discover if this 
were so, and with great difficulty, being 
thrown dowm many times, she once more 
crawled up the companion ladder and peeped 
cautiously out. 

The little Racket-man still sat astride the 
185 


THE DIAMOND KING 


jib-boom, intently watching the waves that 
tossed about in front of him and often broke 
over him. 

Elsa again retreated to the cabin and 
patiently waited until the storm subsided. 
Then, when all was calm, taking Putzel with 
her, she went on deck. The Racket-man 
was no longer in sight, and the sea showed 
no signs of the commotion which had so 
recently passed over it. 

‘‘When will this long journey end?” asked 
Elsa of herself, and the fairy voice at once 
replied : 

First thou must pass the mermaids’ cave, 

Then thou tak’st leave of the restless wave. 

Seek not to join their sports or song, 

Or thou’lt repent thy whole life long.” 

As the fairy voice ended, a large archway 
of shining beryl appeared before them. The 
vessel glided through it, and Elsa found 
herself in a spacious cave hewn from solid 
186 



“ As they neared the vessel, Elsa leaned far over the side.” Page 187 


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THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


beryl, which cast a delicate green light over 
the transparent water. Beautiful water lilies 
floated on the surface, and delicate feathery 
seaweeds covered the sides. 

All at once sweet melodies arose on the 
air, and Elsa espied a school of dolphins 
swimming toward her. On their glistening 
backs reclined beautiful beings whose long 
golden locks fell to the water ^s edge. Some 
held mirrors before their faces while they 
combed their flowing tresses with golden 
combs, and from these beings came the 
entrancing melodies that had greeted Elsa. 
As they neared the vessel, Elsa leaned far 
over the side to watch the dolphins and the 
beautiful forms they bore. 

The mermaids surrounded the vessel and 
sang even more alluringly than before, while 
they gazed smilingly on Elsa and combed 
their golden locks. They sang of their home 
beneath the sea, of coral caves and castles 
of pearl, of wondrous singing birds and ex- 
187 


THE DIAMOND KING 


quisite flowers. As they sang they beckoned 
with their white hands, and Elsa, entranced, 
was fllled with a longing to join them, when 
the fairy cord suddenly stirred, and the fairy 
voice whispered : 

List not to the words of the mermaids fair 
Singing and combing their golden hair. 

Their castles of pearl and their coral caves 
Lie far beneath the treacherous waves. 

Shouldst dare to those bright realms to go 
Thou never wouldst reach the After Glow.’’ 

These sounds recalled Elsa to herself. She 
no longer leaned over to watch the sportive 
mermaids, but walked to a part of the deck 
where she could not see them. For a short 
time they swam about the vessel, still singing 
their alluring songs, then disappeared beneath 
the waves. Elsa gave a sigh of relief as the 
last one passed out of sight. 

Then the vessel glided into an alabaster 
cave, from the pure white walls of which 
188 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


festoons of feathery seaweeds of every hue 
were suspended. From this the vessel en- 
tered another cave of pink coral, where iFolian 
harps breathed soft airs, and where rainbow 
hued cascades fell into smooth water that 
reflected the pink tints of the coral cave. 
Then they came upon the open once more. 
At that moment the fairy cord on Elsa’s arm 
stirred, and these words were spoken: 

“ One ordeal to pass, thou must know, 

Ere thou reachest the Land of the After Glow; 

Thou must go through mountains dark and drear, 
Where no light enters throughout the year. 

Two sprites within these mountains dwell 
Who'll seek to entice thee with magic spell; 

From the ore in the mountain they are called — 

A bad sprite is Nickel, a good one Cobalt. 

Thou must give them no heed; no word will they say. 
And Will-o-the-Wisp shall show thee the way." 

No sooner had the fairy voice ceased than 
Elsa saw before her a range of lofty moun- 
tains. The vessel stopped, the boat was 
189 


THE DIAMOND KING 


lowered, and Elsa and Putzel taking their 
places in her, in a few moments they were 
landed on the rocky coast. Not a living 
being of any kind was in sight, and as Elsa 
turned to take a last look at the vessel that 
had brought her to this barren coast, not a 
vestige of her was to be seen. 

^^It is fortunate that I have you, Putzel 
dear, or I should be all alone,’’ said Elsa as 
she caressed her faithful friend; and Putzel 
expressed as eloquently as he was able his 
appreciation of her affection for him. 

As Elsa gazed at the long line of mountains 
that were before her, the thought that she 
must pass through them sent a shudder over 
her frame. Putzel, too, stood with drooping 
head and tail, looking wistfully at his little 
mistress, as if he would ask her if it were 
possible that she thought of attempting a 
journey through those dark mountains. 

^^Yes, Putzel dear, it must be done! We 
can’t go back, and we should perish here in 
190 


THROUGH THE STORMY WATERS 


this desolate place. So come on, the sooner 
we start, so much the sooner we shall get 
through!” 

And Putzel, as if he did not like to be out- 
done in bravery by his little mistress, went 
on ahead. After a hard walk over uneven 
ground and rough stones, they found them- 
selves before the tallest of the mountains. 


191 


CHAPTER XIII 


ELSA PASSES THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN AND 
MEETS KING RONDO 

E lsa looked in dismay at the gloomy 
mountain that rose before her. If she 
were to pass through it there must be an 
entrance somewhere, but she could see only 
a wall of solid rock stretching far above her, 
and not so much as a crevice to show her 
where she might enter. No foliage of any 
kind was to be seen, with the exception of 
one solitary and stately hemlock tree that 
grew close to the mountain's side. Soon the 
fairy cord at Elsa’s wrist stirred, and the 
fairy voice spoke : 

“ Maiden, thou hast been so brave 
Passing o’er the stormy wave, 

192 


ELSA MEETS KING RONDO 


Steadfast be a few days more, 

When thy wanderings will be o’er. 

We have not forgotten thee, — 

Look behind the hemlock tree.” 

Elsa ran up to the hemlock tree and looked 
eagerly behind it. Sheltered by its thick 
branches was a flight of steps hewn from the 
solid rock, and, taking Putzel under one arm, 
she mounted them. In a short time she 
came upon a low archway, which she entered. 
A long passageway, not much higher than 
her head, lay before her, but, unlike the one 
that led to Gnome-land, it was not lighted, 
and, after walking a few rods, Elsa found 
herself in utter darkness. 

Looking behind her, she espied a dim 
light in the distance, which came through 
the archway by which she had entered the 
mountain, and, her courage forsaking her at 
the thought of the dark journey before her, 
she was on the point of turning back, when 
suddenly a lithe little figure swinging a 
193 


THE DIAMOND KING 


lantern above his head sprang in front of 
her. 

Elsa at once remembered the fairy^s words, 
^^And Will-o^-the-Wisp shall show thee the 
way,’’ and her fears vanished. 

The path was rough and gloomy. Oc- 
casionally a gleam of light came from the ore 
that dimly reflected the rays of Will-o’-the- 
Wisp’s lantern. Occasionally, too, she heard 
the click of hammers and pickaxes made 
by the gnomes at work. They had worked 
there for nobody knows how many centuries, 
and had come to consider the mountain with 
its rich ores as their especial property. No 
stranger had ever before set foot within its 
precincts, so it would not be surprising if they 
should consider Elsa’s visit there an intrusion. 

For a while all went well. The Wisp 
glided ahead with a motion that seemed to 
be half flying and half leaping, and took 
care to cast the rays of his lantern over the 
many uneven places in the path. All at 
194 


ELSA MEETS KING RONDO 


once Elsa was conscious of something that 
flitted by her in the dim light, whether it 
was a bat or an owl she could not discover; 
but Putzel, who was walking behind her, 
gave a sudden yelp of pain. She turned 
quickly around to see what had happened 
to him, but could discover nothing. She 
thought, however, she heard a titter of amuse- 
ment in the dim distance, but concluded, 
after searching in vain for any living creature, 
that it was the sound caused by a stream of 
water that oozed from the rocky mountain- 
side and dripped into a pool below. 

^^You must have hurt your feet on one of 
these sharp stones, Putzel dear,’’ said Elsa; 

do be careful, or I shall have to carry you, 
and you are very heavy.” 

They started once more, but had not taken 
many steps before Putzel gave another sharp 
cry, and turning quickly, Elsa caught sight 
of a little figure fleeing into the darkness 
behind. She at once thought of the mis- 
195 


THE DIAMOND KING 


chievous Nickel, against whom the fairy had 
warned her. What he had done to Putzel 
Elsa could not discover, and Putzel could 
not tell, but she thought it more prudent for 
Putzel to go in front of her, where she might 
see what went on. 

All went well for a few moments, then to 
Elsa^s surprise an agile little figure darted 
by her and, giving a tweak to Putzel’s tail that 
curled over his back, disappeared as quickly 
as he had come. 

^^He shall not escape me a second time,’’ 
said Elsa, after she had comforted the little 
dog, I will show him that I can be as quick 
as he;” but although she kept her eyes moving 
in every direction, before she could see whence 
he came, the mischievous sprite was astride 
Putzel’s plump back, holding one of his ears 
in each of his tiny hands, as if they were reins. 

Elsa sprang forward to seize the teasing 
sprite, but he was off before she could touch 
him and out of sight, giving a parting tweak 
196 


ELSA MEETS KING RONDO 


to Putzel’s ears ere he disappeared. This 
performance was repeated several times, and 
each time the nimble 
sprite escaped Elsa^s 
watchfulness. Some- 
times the perform- 
ance was varied by 
a twitch of the long- 
braid that hung 
down Elsa^s back, or 
by an attempt to trip 
up the nimble feet of 
the Will-o’-the-Wisp. 

The Wisp, however, 
was as quick and 
wary as the mischief- 
loving Nickel, and was 
not to be surprised, but 
all at once, to Elsa^s dismay, the 
teasing sprite blew suddenly at the lantern of 
the Wisp and out it went, leaving them in 
utter darkness. A shrill titter from the mis- 
197 



THE DIAMOND KING 


chief-maker showed his satisfaction at the 
catastrophe. 

Brave as Elsa was, the prospect of being 
shut up in the depths of the mountain in 
complete darkness sent a shiver through 
her; but before she had time to think what 
she should do, another tiny figure appeared, 
bearing on high a large glowworm all ablaze. 
This he held out to the Wisp, and in 
a twinkling the lantern was once more 
alight. 

This new sprite Elsa concluded to be 
Cobalt, the good sprite, for whereas the small 
face of the other one had a malicious ex- 
pression, and a cold, mischievous glitter in 
his twinkling black eyes, this one had a 
plump, rosy, smiling face that won Elsa’s 
good will at the first glance. Holding his 
glowworm far above his head that it might 
shed its rays as widely as possible over the 
rugged path, he fioated on ahead by the side 
of the Wisp. That they were discussing the 
198 


ELSA MEETS KING RONDO 


path through which they were to go was 
evident to Elsa, for the sprite often nodded 
his head emphatically and swung his glow- 
worm about, as he gesticulated with his little 
arms. Elsa wondered what it could mean, 
but it was impossible to distrust such a good- 
tempered face and such a friendly manner. 
Meanwhile the fairy voice murmured these 
words : 

Tis Cobalt, the good sprite, fear no harm, 

Thou mayst follow him without alarm. 

Wishing thee well, he would seek to bring 
Thee to the presence of Rondo his king.’^ 

^^Dear me!’^ said Elsa to herself, “must I 
see another king? The king of the gnomes, 
and the elf-king, and then the cruel king 
of the diamond mines, they are all alike. 
I know he will be horrid, but I must follow 
where they choose to take me.’^ 

Elsa had no more to fear from the bad 
sprite Nickel, although he followed them at 
199 


THE DIAMOND KING 


a safe distance and did what he dared to 
anno}^ her and Putzel. He evidently stood 
in awe of the sprite Cobalt, for he took pains 
to keep out of his way. Occasionally Elsa 
felt a handful of small pebbles rattling against 
her, and sometimes a fine shower of water 
was thrown over her. Shrill whistles too 
and weird cries met her ears, but Elsa paid 
no attention to them, and whenever she 
turned her head she caught sight of the 
nimble heels of the mischievous sprite dis- 
appearing into the darkness. 

Before long sounds of revelry, music, and 
gay laughter, and the voices of children call- 
ing to one another in play, fell upon Elsa’s 
ears and echoed through the rocky passage- 
ways of the mountain. These sounds became 
y more and more distinct, and all at once Elsa 
found herself in a flood of light, which was 
so bewildering after the dim light in which 
she had been so long, that at first she could 
not distinguish objects. She looked about 
200 


ELSA MEETS KING RONDO 


her for the Wisp and the obliging sprite 
Cobalt, but they had disappeared. 

^Vhen Elsa became accustomed to the light, 
she found herself standing before a small 
being seated at a table upon which was set 
forth a repast made up of the delicacies most 
tempting to the gnome people. A platter 
of fine fat grubs on toast was the principal 
dish, while pickled dragon-flies^ tongues and 
a salad of lily-of-the-valley petals served as 
side dishes. A flagon carved from a single 
diamond, fllled with mountain dew, served 
as nectar to be quaffed with these dainty 
viands, and a large bouquet of edelweiss, 
the favorite flower of the gnomes, served 
as a centrepiece. 

There was not a doubt in Elsa^s mind that 
the little being before whom this repast was 
placed was King Rondo, for the diamond 
crown upon his head and the rich mantle 
spun from the finest threads of thistle-down 
proclaimed him to be a monarch; but was 
201 


THE DIAMOND KING 


ever a monarch like to him? His little round 
rosy face was brimful of good temper and 
jollity, and his eyes sparkled with merriment 
and good will. His voice was musical, and 
sounded as if it were brimful of laughter, and 
as for his smile, wh}^ it was impossible not 
to smile back the instant he looked at you. 

This jolly monarch laid down his knife 
and fork as soon as he perceived Elsa stand- 
ing before him, and, with a smile of welcome 
spreading over his rosy face that sent all the 
dimples dancing in his plump cheeks, said 
in a pleasant voice : 

^^Well, whom have we here, and what can 
I do for you, my Dear?’’ 

Then Elsa explained how she happened 
to be there, telling about her long journey 
to the After Glow, where she was to find the 
Little Man in Gray who had the power to 
release the children whom the cruel Diamond 
King had imprisoned in his mines. To all 
this story King Rondo listened with great 
202 


ELSA Meets king rondo 


interest, particularly the part relating to the 
Diamond King. 

^^Hast seen the Diamond King, my Dear? 
he asked when Elsa had ended her recital. 

^^No, I have never seen him,^’ replied 
Elsa, ^'but I saw a little girl whose brothers 
were imprisoned by him, and she told me 
all about it.^’ 

King Rondo threw back his head and 
laughed until the tears stood in his bright 
eyes, while Elsa looked at him in astonish- 
ment. 

don’t see anything to laugh at,” she 
exclaimed indignantly. ^^The little girl was 
very unhappy indeed, and said she expected 
that her turn would come at any moment.” 

shouldn’t wonder if it did,” rephed 
King Rondo; and again he burst into a fit 
of laughter, while his fat sides shook and 
the tears streamed over his rosy cheeks. He 
must be a sorry knave, and deserves to be 
well punished,” he said at last, trying to 
203 


THE DIAMOND KING 


look serious, in doing which he did not succeed 
very well. 

hope the Little Gray Man will let all 
those children go home, and will put the 
Diamond King in a dark place in the mines, 
and make him stay there until he says he is 
sorry. And I hope he will tear down the 
diamond palace and give all the diamonds 
to the children to take home with them,’’ 
said Elsa vehemently. 

’Twould be no more than he deserves,” 
replied the king. What a precious old 
hard-hearted knave he must be!” and unable 
to keep a serious face any longer, he burst 
into another laughing fit. 

^^He must be crazy to laugh at such a 
serious matter,” said Elsa to herself, and 
she began to be seriously alarmed. As she 
looked at the king’s jolly face, however, in 
every line of which good temper was reflected, 
she felt that this could not be the case. But 
what reason could he have for laughing so 
204 


ELSA MEETS KING KONDO 


immoderately when there was nothing to 
laugh at? 

^^What are thy plans, my Dear?’’ asked 
King Rondo when he had at last succeeded 
in controlling his mirth sufficiently to speak 
in his natural voice. How dost thou intend 
to find the Little Gray Man? I am told it 
is a difficult thing to accomplish.” 

“I only know that he lives in the Land 
of the After Glow,” replied Elsa. ^^Will-o’- 
the-Wisp was to guide me through the moun- 
tains, but I don’t know what has become of 
him. I suppose it will come out all right, 
everything seems to.” 

^^We will see that thou art guided through 
the mountain, my Dear,” said the king. 
^^The Land of the After Glow is not distant, 
and I want to see that knave of a Diamond 
King receive his deserts.” Once more King 
Rondo burst into a peal of merry laughter. 
^^But come, my Dear,” he said, when he 
had succeeded in checking his mirth suffi- 
205 


THE DIAMOND KING 


ciently to continue, first I must introduce 
thee to my children. It will do thee good 
to have a game of romps with them. They 
are a merry set, and thy face is far too serious 
for thy years, my Dear.’’ 

So saying. King Rondo pushed back his 
chair from the table, and rose on his sturdy 
legs, which was not an easy task, for his 
body was as round and fat as his rosy face. 
Then he toddled off, his long robe of thistle- 
down flowing out behind, and his little dia- 
mond crown bobbing about and flashing in 
the brilliant light. Elsa followed as close 
at his heels as she could without stepping 
upon his train, and Putzel, with a more 
joyful mien than he had worn since his wan- 
derings, gambolled in front of both. 


206 


CHAPTER XIV 


ELSA IS SHOWN THE WONDERS OF KING RONDO^S 
DOMAINS 

K ing rondo crossed the antechamber, 
and, stopping before a closed door, 
rapped lightly upon it three times. It in- 
stantly rolled back, and a burst of merriment 
mingled with strains of lively music greeted 
them. 

Welcome to the royal playgrounds, my 
Dear,’^ said King Rondo in his jovial voice. 

No sooner were the words spoken than a 
troupe of merry children, it seemed to Elsa 
as if there were a hundred of them, came 
flying toward them, and calling in joyous 
tones, ^^The king! the king!’^ precipitated 
themselves upon him so boisterously that 
he cried out, Mercy, my children, have 
207 


THE DIAMOND KING 


mercy upon us! Ye take away our breath 
with your boisterous manners.” 

The children, however, who could never 
have been his own children, for most of them 
were as large as Elsa, paid no heed to his 
words, but catching him up and placing him 
upon the shoulders of the largest, bore him 
about with such swiftness that his long royal 
robes, as light as gossamer, were wafted out 
behind, and his diamond crown fell off. In 
an instant a dozen of the smallest children 
were rolling over each other in a good-humored 
tussle to capture it. The smallest of the 
number managed to seize it, and, placing it 
on his own head, scampered off with it, 
followed by the others in hot pursuit. 

^^Come, come, my children,” cried King 
Rondo, as soon as he could make himself 
heard above the din of happy voices, “have 
done with your nonsense, and let us intro- 
duce this maiden with becoming dignity.” 

“You havenT any dignity,” they shouted, 

208 



“Ilis long royal robes were wafted out behind, and his diamond erown fell off.” 

I age 208. 



WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 


^^you are just a dear old lovable, jolly mon- 
arch 

Meanwhile Elsa, who had been looking on 
in surprise at this strange reception, so unlike 
the respect she had always seen paid to 
royalty, even in the person of the tiny elf- 
king, found herself becoming as light-hearted 
as the rest of the gay troupe, and was soon in 
the midst of the throng, trying to get as near 
to his majesty as possible. As for Putzel, 
he had suffered so much discomfort from the 
pranks of the mischievous sprite Nickel, to 
say nothing of the other hardships by land 
and sea, that he fell in at once with the 
general hilarity that prevailed, and raced 
in among the gay band, careering madly 
about, and even attempting to seize the 
royal robes in his teeth as they floated tempt- 
ingly before him. 

At last the revellers stopped from sheer 
want of breath, and placing King Rondo 
upon a mossy bank, vied with one another 
209 


THE DIAMOND KING 


in attempting to sit as near his royal person 
as possible. The boy who had run off with 
the diamond crown forced his way to a 
position behind his majesty, and jammed 
it far down over his royal brows, after which 
he threw his chubby arms about the king’s 
neck and hugged him until he cried for mercy. 

There, there, my children,” said the king 
when he was released, ^^we must not forget 
our manners. Here is a maiden who has 
come a long distance and undergone many 
trials in quest of the Little Man in Gray. 
We must entertain her royally ere we send 
her on her way.” 

^^The Little Man in Gray isn’t half so nice 
as the little man with a diamond crown upon 
his head,” exclaimed one of the girls; and 
the others echoing the sentiment, the chase 
seemed in danger of beginning all over again, 
but the jovial king held up one of his chubby 
fingers for silence. 

^^We will leave this maiden to your care,” 
210 


WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 


said King Rondo, ^^and mind that ye treat 
her well, also her little companion, who has 
wandered many leagues in faithful attendance 
upon his little mistress. Set a goodly repast 
before them while we return to our own table 
ere the grubs become cold and the salad 
tasteless. Farewell, maiden, we will see thee 
ere long;^’ and, rising from his mossy seat. 
King Rondo ambled off to his repast, the 
doors of the royal playground closing after 
him. 

Elsa would once have felt some shyness 
in meeting so many children whom she had 
never seen before, but these children received 
her as cordially and naturally as if they had 
always known her. Clustering about her, 
they led her away to a bower that stood in 
a corner of the playground. Seats were 
arranged on either side of the long table 
which was spread with the dishes the children 
liked best. There were plates piled high 
with delicate sandwiches, cakes of every 
211 


THE DIAMOND KING 


variety of form and taste, dishes of golden 
honey in its waxen comb, luscious preserved 
fruits, and in the centre pyramids of fresh 
fruits of every color and kind. 

^^Come right here,” cried a little boy to 
Putzel, who was modestly keeping himself 
in the background and eyeing the tempting 
cakes and sandwiches with longing eyes, 
^^come right here on this seat, and have just 
what you like best;” and he picked up the 
astonished and gratified little dog, and, plac- 
ing him on one of the seats before the table, 
piled a plate high with sandwiches and cakes 
and set it before him. 

Elsa, who was equally hungry, lost no 
time in eating a good lunch, while all the 
other children gathered around and seemed 
to take more pleasure in seeing the two 
wanderers partake of the good things before 
them than they did in eating themselves. 

^^Now,” said the children, when the two 
stopped from sheer inability to eat more, 
212 


WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 

^^you must come to the garden of surprises 
and away they went once more, bearing Elsa 
and Putzel in their midst. They soon stopped 
at a tall hedge of glossy green, over which 
blossoming vines trailed in graceful profusion, 
looking as if gay garlands had been woven 
in among the glossy green leaves. Together 
the children chanted this couplet: 

^^Kling a ling, kling a ling, kling a ling ling! 

Ope in the name of Rondo the king.’’ 

Immediately the tall hedge parted, and 
the troupe passed into a spacious garden. 
Fountains showered their delicate spray into 
lakes, on the smooth surface of which stately 
swans were sailing, cascades tumbled over 
rocky beds, and graceful trees and plants, 
bearing beautiful flowers, grew on all sides. 

Elsa stopped before a stately calla full of 
snowy blossoms. 

^^Pick one and taste it,^’ cried one of the 
children, while they all crowded about her. 
213 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Elsa did as she was told, and immediately 
took a second bite, while the children broke 
into peals of laughter at the surprised ex- 
pression of her face. It was made of most 
delicious ice cream, and Elsa ate it even to 
the stem. 

^^Now for a sail on the lake,’^ cried one of 
the boys, running toward the water where 
the stately swans were swimming gracefully 
about. 

^^How can we sail without any boats? 
asked Elsa. 

^^Oh, you will see,” replied the boy. 
“ Everything is possible in the garden of 
surprises.” 

No sooner were these words spoken, than 
in a twinkling the swans all dived under 
the water, and in the places where they had 
disappeared arose boats in the shape of swans. 
Propelled by some unseen power, they ap- 
proached the edge of the lake where the chil- 
dren were assembled, and they all stepped 
214 


WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 


aboard. Elsa, being company, was awarded 
the most comfortable seat in the foremost 
boat, and Putzel, taken possession of by one 
of the smallest of the boys, was placed where 
he could command a fine view of the scenery 
through which they were to pass, and at 
the same time watch the fishes swimming 
about in the water. 

A very pretty sight was the procession of 
swan boats, each bearing a load of happy 
children, whose gay voices and laughter rang 
over the still water. These sounds reached 
King Rondo seated at his table, and gave 
zest to the agreeable repast set before 
him. 

As the procession of swan boats proceeded 
on their way, strange surprises appeared at 
every turn. At one time there arose to the 
surface of the lake a picturesque island, 
where tropical palms waved their broad 
leaves, and gorgeous flowers wafted their 
perfumes toward them as if in welcome. 

215 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Brilliantly plumaged birds flashed among 
the trees or skimmed over the water, and 
soft summer breezes played over their faces. 
Again there appeared an island, where snow- 
capped mountains reared their hoary heads 
to the clear sky, and hardy fir trees stretched 
from the rocky shores. Glaciers, some look- 
ing in the distance no wider than a ribbon, 
’'and others as broad as a wide river, clung 
with their frozen waters to the mountain- 
sides. Then a gigantic one, whose icy walls 
towered high above the coast, would gradu- 
ally discharge masses of its frozen waters, 
and with a booming sound like the roar of 
heavy artillery come crashing into the water, 
disappearing in its great depths for a while, 
then slowly rising to the surface, float away 
as icebergs. Many of these icebergs were 
passed, of most fantastic shapes and the 
most beautiful shades of sapphire blue and 
emerald green. Some of these bergs were 
covered thick with sea birds, who showed 
216 


WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 


no fear as the swan boats approached them, 
and the magic boats glided among the ice- 
bergs in safety. 

At another time an island with a volcano 
that belched forth flames and smoke arose 
before them. Then a lofty castle of rare 
marble or tinted coral of exquisite archi- 
tecture appeared, and the children gazed 
wonderingly, never tiring of the varying 
scenes. At last the boats floated up to that 
part of the shore whence the party had em- 
barked, and they all landed. No sooner 
had the last child set his foot on shore than 
in a twinkling the boats all disappeared 
under water and the beautiful swans reap- 
peared swimming about as before. 

Not far from where the children stood, a 
little hill was seen crowned with a grove 
of pine trees. “Let us go to that grove,” 
said one, “ and rest beneath those shady 
trees. There will be a cool breeze there and 
a fine view of King Rondo’s beautiful king- 
217 


THE DIAMOND KING 


dom/’ so away he went, followed by the 
others. 

What had seemed to them to be a hill proved 
a level path, and a few minutes’ walk brought 
them to the grove. The ground was thickly 
strewn with pine needles like a soft thick 
carpet, and a gentle breeze sighed through 
the branches of the pines, as sweet as the 
notes of an ^olian harp. 

Not long did the restless spirits of the 
children permit them to rest in the cool and 
shady grove. They soon strayed through it, 
and on the other side of the hill a new sur- 
prise was in store for them. That side of 
the hill was covered with snow and ice, and 
on the summit stood toboggans of different 
sizes waiting to be used. With shouts of 
joy the children took possession of them, and 
in a few moments the hill resounded with 
their merry laughter. Not the least happy 
was Putzel. The children strove for the 
possession of him, and took turns in taking 
218 


WONDERS OF KING RONDO’S DOMAINS 


him on their toboggans. Elsa laughed to 
see him sitting erect and sniffing the fresh 
air as he whizzed down the coast. 

Everything has its ending, and after a 
while the children wearied of the sport and 
the frosty air and returned to the milder air 
of the pine grove. No sooner had they 
reached it than suddenly a table spread with 
delicious viands rose out of the ground, and 
they made a hearty lunch while they rested 
on the pine needles and chatted of the pleas- 
ures provided by King Rondo. 

Never was there such a dear, jolly, lovable 
king,’’ said one. ^‘1 wish I might stay here 
forever.” 

^^So do I,” cried Elsa. 

^^So do we all,” cried all in a breath. 

^^Tell us how you happened to find the 
way here,” said one. 

Then Elsa told her story, from the moment 
she entered Fairyland at the back of the 
Christmas tree to the moment she found 
219 


THE DIAMOND KING 


herself in the presence of King Rondo, and 
all the children listened with great attention. 
As she finished, one of them raised the 
cry of ^^The king! the king!^’ and looking 
down the hill they beheld King Rondo com- 
ing toward them seated in his golden chariot 
studded with diamonds, and drawn by six 
white rabbits abreast; the harness, richly 
ornamented with gems, glistened as the lively 
little creatures bounded along. 


220 


CHAPTER XV 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 

STORY! a story !’^ cried the children, 
^ ^ swarming about King Rondo. ^^The 
pine grove is the very place to tell a story in. 
You promised one you know, and kings must 
keep their word.’’ 

story ye shall have, so soon as we get 
our breath,” replied King Rondo, seating 
himself on the soft pine needles and leaning 
his head back against a pine tree. ^^What 
kind of a story shall it be?” 

^^A fairy story,” they all cried. About 
fairies and elves and such tiny people.” 

^^Tell about a fierce ogre with long sharp 
teeth who eats people up,” said the little boy 
who had run off with the diamond crown 
when it fell from the king’s head. 

221 


THE DIAMOND KING 


Fairyland we have no such fierce 
ogres who eat up people,” replied King Rondo. 

^^Tell us about an old witch then, and 
make her as horrid as you can,” said the 
little boy. 

The children seated themselves in a wide 
circle about King Rondo, and, fixing their 
eyes upon him with the closest attention, 
waited expectantly for him to begin. 

^^Once upon a time,” began King Rondo, 
^^a very tiny princess was born in Elfin- 
land — ” 

^^How small was she?” interrupted a little 
girl. ^^Was she about as big as a pea?” 

About as big,^T fancy,” replied King 
Rondo, but of a different shape. She was 
so tiny that they tended her on a rose leaf, 
and orie drop of dew and one drop of honey 
were sufficient food to last her a whole day. 
She grew and grew, however, until she was, 
perhaps, the size of a half-grown katydid, 
and then her parents, a king and queen of 
222 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


Elfinland, concluded that it was fitting to 
have a christening. So messengers were de- 
spatched to all the noble families in Elfinland 
bidding them to the ceremony. Those known 
to possess magic power were not forgotten, 
for Tis well for a child to have at its christen- 
ing the favor of these powerful people. 

^^On such occasions somebody is always 
forgotten, no matter how hard people try 
to remember all their friends, and the one 
who is forgotten is the very one of all the 
others who should not have been left out. 
In the midst of the christening the elf queen 
gave a sudden start, and whispered to the 
elf king, ^My dear, we have forgotten to 
invite thy great-aunt, the fairy Wish-’em-ill.^ 
^By my golden crown and sceptre, that 
we have,^ replied the king. ^ Would we had 
slighted all the others rather than her.’ 

fear she will take a sorry revenge,’ 
said the poor queen. would it had not 
been so.’ 


223 


THE DIAMOND KING 


^^The little princess was christened with 
all the pomp due to her rank, after which 
the relations and guests gathered about the 
king and queen to offer their congratulations, 
while those who possessed magic power con- 
ferred upon the young princess their magic 
favors. One bestowed a sweet temper, an- 
other a snow white complexion with a lovely 
color in her cheeks like rose-tinted clouds, 
another eyes like the sloe, another golden 
hair with the gleam of the morning sun upon 
it. The strangest gift was, that she might 
have the protection and favor of all the dumb 
animal kingdom. 

collation was spread with the viands 
that the elfin folk most favor, while the 
health of the king and queen was quaffed 
in mountain dew, presented in lily-of-the- 
valley cups. 

^^The gayety was at its height, the only 
two who did not participate in the general 
hilarity being the king and queen, when 
224 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


suddenly a fierce-looking black beetle alighted 
in the very midst of the gay throng. Upon 
its back was seated a little wizen-faced, hump- 
backed figure, the fairy Wish-’em-ill. 

So astonished were all at this sudden 
appearance, that they stood transfixed, while 
the fairy sprang from the beetle’s back, for 
she was very agile in spite of her wizened 
face and deformed figure. The assembled 
guests all fell back at her approach, and she 
strode to the spot where the little princess 
lay in her cradle beautifully carved from a 
filbert shell and lined with the most delicate 
textures that the elfin looms could produce. 
Before the astonished guests knew what was 
happening, she had seized the royal cradle, 
princess and all, leaped upon her beetle’s back, 
and was off in a twinkling. 

Great was the commotion, ye may be 
sure, as the fairy Wish-’em-ill was seen flying 
off with the precious baby princess. The 
poor queen gave a piercing scream and then 
225 


THE DIAMOND KING 


fainted dead away. The distracted king 
drew his sword carved from a mosquitoes 
sting and imported at great expense from 
Human-land, and rushing wildly about, vowed 
vengeance upon his ill-tempered great-aunt. 
As the black beetle flew out of sight, however, 
he became aware of the uselessness of such 
behavior, and calming himself, he called 
upon his equerry to have his fastest butterfly 
brought to him. Ere many moments had 
elapsed his favorite butterfly, with glossy 
black wings flecked with bright blue, alighted 
before him, and ordering his body-guard to 
follow on their yellow and black butter- 
flies, he soared into the air and disappeared 
in the direction his great-aunt had taken. 

The search was useless, as might be 
supposed, for the fairy Wish-’em-ill had a good 
five minutes^ start, and her black beetle, 
noted for his mettle and speed, allowed noth- 
ing to outstrip him. So, after a fruitless 
search, the king returned with his beautiful 
226 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


butterfly winded, and the body-guard strag- 
gling in the rear on their jaded yellow and 
black butterflies. 

'^Meanwhile we will follow the little elfln 
princess and see how she fared. The fairy 
Wish-^em-ill guided her black beetle to a tall 
maple that grew in a wood remote from the 
palace of the elfin princess’s royal parents, 
and drew rein on the edge of a bough that 
drooped over a pathway seldom traversed. 
On this bough, covered with moss and bark 
in such skilful imitation of the branch itself 
that it looked like a knot made by nature, 
was an empty humming-bird’s nest. It was 
lined with a texture as fine and soft as thistle- 
down, and into this tiny nest the fairy Wish- 
’em-ill placed the elfin princess, cradle and all. 

^^^Stay thou there, thou ill-fated offspring 
of ungrateful parents,’ she said as she gave 
the nutshell cradle a shake that set it rocking 
so violently that the poor little princess barely 
escaped being thrown from it and dashed full 
227 


THE DIAMOND KING 


two feet below. ^Stay there, and try if the 
gifts of those bidden to thy christening will 
avail thee aught. Mayhap they will bring 



thee food and shelter, and tender care.’ She 
gave the cradle a parting shake that set it 
rocking again, and, with a gibing laugh, 
mounted her fiery steed and flew swiftly 
home. 


228 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


“The poor little princess, finding herself 
alone and subjected to such harsh treatment, 
wailed piteously, but the tender faces she 
had been in the habit of seeing about her 
cradle did not answer to her calls, and her 
cries grew louder and longer. Ere long a 
pair of tiny birds attracted by the strange 
sounds, so different from any they had ever 
heard, flew to the spot, and cautiously ap- 
proaching the deserted nest, peered curiously 
in. It was a strange being, the like of which 
they had never seen, and they talked to one 
another about what manner of creature it 
might be and how it came there. No answer, 
however, to their question did they find, but 
this they did understand, that it was a living 
creature of some kind and that it was in need 
of food and care. So the father bird flew 
away in search of food, while the mother bird 
hopped into the nest and spread her wings 
over the wailing child. 

“No sooner did the little princess feel the 
229 


THE DIAMOND KING 


soft feathers about her, than a delicious 
warmth caused her cries to cease. The 
mother bird, whose offspring had outgrown 
her care and had flown away to shift for 
themselves, had secretly longed for an object 
upon which to bestow the tender care she 
could no longer give to her own, and her 
motherly heart went out to this helpless 
little being. So she crooned the ^oft lullaby 
she had been wont to sing to her own downy 
fledglings, and it so soothed the little elfin 
princess that she fell into a quiet slumber. 

^^When the father bird returned with his 
beak filled with sweet nectar that he had 
sipped from an opening rose growing deep 
in the fragrant woods, the little princess 
drank it from his beak with infinite content. 
Thus did one of the fairy gifts bestowed at 
the christening begin its work. 

“Days and even months went on, and the 
elfin princess was fed by the father bird and 
mothered by the mother bird, until her little 
230 y 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


limbs grew longer and stronger, and her tiny 
face gave evidence of all the gifts the fairies 
had showered upon her. The skin became 
as white as snow, a color like the rose-tinted 
clouds reflecting the last rays of the setting 
sun glowed in her round cheeks, her eyes 
were as black as sloes, and her hair, fine as spun 
silk, shone with as golden a gleam as that of 
the rising sun. Her tiny lips were as red as 
coral; thus were all the fairy wishes fulfilled. 

^^With such care it was not long, ye may 
be sure, before the elfin princess outgrew the 
nutshell cradle, and it was pushed out of the 
nest by the mother bird. Neither was it 
long ere she was running over the branches 
of the maple tree and riding through the 
woods on the backs of butterflies and the 
gentlest of the dragon-flies, that are quite 
gentle and mild in spite of their fierce sound- 
ing name. Through the fairy gifts she was 
at no loss for helpful companions, and many 
a midnight stroll she took through the dark 
231 


THE DIAMOND KING 


woods, lighted by obliging fireflies or glow- 
worms, or borne on the back of a friendly 
owl or bat. Thus the princess grew, until 
one day the fairy Wish-’em-ill, happening to 
fly by, saw the maiden swinging on a lofty 
bough of the maple tree. had thought 
thee dead long since, ^ she exclaimed, as she 
halted her beetle before the wandering prin- 
cess; ^but ill weeds grow apace, and so dost 
thou. I will see toT that thou and thy magic 
gifts do not outwit me again. ^ 

During this speech the elfin princess had 
stood affrighted, but she knew no word of 
human speech, never having heard it since 
her mind was able to comprehend it, although 
she had heard the language of the birds and 
beasts and insects who were friendly to her. 
She understood, however, from the fairy 
Wish-^em-ilks scowling looks and harsh words 
that she meant ill toward her, and her little 
breast fluttered with fear. As soon as the 
fairy Wish-^em-ill ceased, she suddenly grasped 
232 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


the little princess, and, mounting her beetle 
and holding the trembling little creature in 
front of her, flew away and did not stop until 
she reached a lofty tower in a deep wood. 
This was one of the strongholds she had caused 
to be built to serve her wicked ends, and, 
alighting on the edge of a window on the 
summit of the tower, she thrust the terrified 
princess in, closing the window with a heavy 
wire netting, and then flew off. 

^^It was not long, ye may be sure, before 
the father and mother birds, distraught at 
the loss of their foster-child, succeeded in 
finding the poor princess in her lonely prison. 
As before they fed her and cheered her with 
their blithe songs, but the mother bird could 
no longer shield her with her gentle wings 
and warm her with her soft feathers. Others 
there were who followed the captive princess 
to her prison and brought her food and cheer. 
Many other birds searched the choicest flowers 
for nectar for her, and the bees flew in between 
233 


THE DIAMOND KING 


the meshes of her window screens with their 
daintiest honey. Even the mice, who had 
long inhabited the tower, crept out of their 
holes and kept her company. The spiders, 
too, rejoiced at her coming, and spun long 
and slender threads for her. These she care- 
fully collected and twisted into a strong cord 
which she kept secretly, her native wit teach- 
ing her it might some day do her good service. 
Thus fared the little princess until she was a 
well-grown elfin maiden, and a fairer one 
never did the sun look upon. Then it so 
happened that a young elfin king in the 
neighboring province, lately come into pos- 
session of his kingdom, thought to take to 
himself a queen, and where was there one 
beautiful enough to mate with him? ^She 
must be as white as snow, with cheeks like 
the rose-tinted clouds at sunset, eyes black 
as the sloe, coral lips, and hair as golden as 
the sun’s rising gleams,’ said the young king, 
^else she is not worthy to be my queen.’ 

234 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


^^Then straightway were messengers sent 
throughout the kingdom to find such a 
maiden, but as might be expected, they 
returned with no success. 

'^^Ye are all useless knaves/ said the king 
in a great rage, 'so go I myself!’ Then away 
he rode in his royal chariot lined with down 
from humming-birds’ breasts and drawn by 
gayly hued butterflies, and wherever he heard 
of fair maidens there he went; but none had 
the beauties he sought. To be sure, some 
had one or two of them, but no one possessed 
them all, and the poor young king was return- 
ing home discouraged when he came upon 
a tall tower. Looking out of the window 
was a fair elfin maiden with long golden 
locks that gleamed in the sunlight, and the 
king drew rein at the foot of the tower. 

" The young princess, taken from her 
home at such a tender age, had seen none 
of her own kind, with the exception of the 
ugly fairy Wish-’em-ill, and she thought the 
235 


THE DIAMOND KING 


young elfin king so comely and his mien so 
friendly that she at once let down her cord 
of spiders^ web, and seizing it, the king 
quickly mounted to her window ledge. 

No sooner had he landed there than out 
came the little mice and began gnawdng, 
gnawing, with their sharp little teeth, until 
the wire netting before the window was 
gnawed through and the elfin king entered 
the prison. You may be sure his little heart 
bounded in his breast as he beheld all the 
beauties which he had so long sought united 
in the person of this one maiden. There 
was the golden hair gleaming like the rays 
of the rising sun, the sloe black eyes, the 
coral lips, the skin like snow, and the cheeks 
like the rose-tinted clouds. 

“^None other shall be my queen. Wilt 
come with me to my palace and reign with 
me?’ said the king. 

“Now the elfin princess did not under- 
stand what the young elfin king said, but 
236 


KING RONDO TELLS A STORY 


she saw the loving light in his eyes, and 
heard the friendly tones of his voice, and, 
putting her hand in his, she nodded her 
consent. Descending the cord of spiders^ 
web, they seated themselves in the royal 
chariot, and the butterflies bore them swiftly 
home.^^ 

^^Did the elfin princess find her papa and 
mamma again? asked one of the children. 

“Without doubt did she,’^ replied King 
Rondo, “for the story saith that they all 
hved happily forever after.” 


237 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE DIAMOND KING IS CONFRONTED BY THE 

LITTLE GRAY MAN 

AND ELSA 

^^^HILDREN/^ said King Rondo, ^^much 
time have ye idled away in the pleasures 
of our kingdom, and loath am I to part with ye, 
but ye must not be unmindful of the parents 
who will be concerned for your safety if ye re- 
main away too long. This maiden, too, who is 
on her way to the Little Man in Gray, should 
not forget the quest she hath undertaken.^’ 
^^We do not want to go home yet,” cried 
the children in a breath. We are so happy 
here, let us stay awhile longer!” 

There is no need of haste,” said Elsa. I 
can seek the Little Gray Man later. It is 
so pleasant here, do let me stay!” 

238 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


^^Hast forgotten the poor children in the 
mines and the Diamond King?” asked King 
Rondo, trying to show a grave face. The 
same twinkle came into his eyes that always 
appeared whenever he spoke of the Diamond 
King, and the dimples in his chubby cheeks 
began to dance. 

^^That is true,” replied Elsa, rising to her 
feet; had forgotten about the poor chil- 
dren in the diamond mines. I will start at 
once!” 

^^Stay,” said King Rondo, ^^we will direct 
thee to the land of the Little Gray Man. 
Follow us, my dear.” 

So saying. King Rondo struggled to his 
feet, and ambled to the edge of the pine wood 
where the children had found the magic 
toboggans awaiting them. “ Dost see yonder 
snow-capped mountains, my dear?” he asked. 
''Beyond lies the Land of the After Glow. 
Thou mayst see somewhat of the rosy glow 
on the mountain tops.” 

239 


THE DIAMOND KING 


see replied Elsa sadly, ^^but they 
are so distant, and the path is so rough and 
dreary!’^ 

^^Thou hast shown great courage hitherto, 
my dear,” said King Rondo cheerily, surely 
thou wilt not despair when the journey is 
so near its end.” 

must go on, I cannot go back now,” 
replied Elsa; “but I do not know where to 
find the Little Man in Gray. The Land of 
the After Glow is a large country, and where 
shall I seek him?” 

“That we can tell thee, my dear,” said 
King Rondo. “Thou must climb yonder 
mountains and before thee will lie the do- 
minions of the Little Man in Gray. Dost 
see the bright star standing over the highest 
mountain peak? That is the Polar or North 
star, and that thou must keep ever before 
thee. I can tell thee how thou mayst ever 
find it. Dost see those four bright stars 
forming nearly a square, and three others in 
240 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


a straight line at the left? That is the Big 
Dipper, and if thou shouldst draw a straight 
line through the two right-hand stars of the 
Dipper and keep straight on, thou wouldst 
run against the Polar star. Now when thou 
hast gained the summit of the mountain, 
that star will be still before thee, and thou 
must gaze at it steadfastly, whilst thou 
sayest these words : 

Mighty Little Man in Gray, 

Deign to show thy face I pray. 

By the light of yon bright star 
I have sought thee from afar. 

Grievous wrongs I have to tell, 

Thou alone canst break the spell. 

^^When thou hast spoken these words,^’ 
continued King Rondo, ^Hhou wilt see what 
will happen. Fear naught, and all will go 
well.” 

Elsa took leave of the friendly children 
who clustered about her to bid her farewell. 

241 


THE DIAMOND KING 


am loath to part with thee, my dear,^’ 
said King Rondo, “but I have a feeling that 
we will meet again. I trust that the Little 
Man in Gray will punish that knave the 
Diamond King as he deserves. Would that 
I were there to see it!’’ And again at the 
mention of the Diamond King the face of 
the little gnome king broke into a smile. 

“What can be the reason,” said Elsa to 
herself, as she and her little companion set 
forth once more upon their wanderings, 
“that King Rondo, who is so good-hearted 
and amiable, always laughs when the Dia- 
mond King is mentioned?” But she was 
no nearer the solution of the problem than 
she was before. 

So long as Elsa was in sight, the children 
continued waving their farewells to her, and 
their sympathy cheered her and put new 
courage into her heart. At last she could 
no longer see them, and she and her faithful 
companion were once more alone. 

242 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


will keep a good heart, Putzel dear,^^ 
said Elsa, ^^and it can’t be very long before 
our journey is at an end. Then think how 
happy those poor little children will be!” 

And the little dog seemed to understand 
what his mistress said, and bounded merrily 
on ahead. 

The hill down which the children and Elsa 
had coasted was no longer covered with 
snow, but that did not strike Elsa as strange, 
as nothing in Fairyland is to be wondered 
at. The air was fresh and cool, and the grass 
grew rank about her. Brightly tinted flowers 
bloomed everywhere, and birds flitted among 
the trees. Soon she came to a broad and 
foaming river, and there she stopped, for 
the current was strong, the waters were deep, 
and no bridge or other means of crossing it 
were in sight. 

How can I ever reach those distant 
mountains with no bridge to take me across 
this stream?” said Elsa aloud; but at that 
243 


THE DIAMOND KING 


moment the fairy cord, of which she had 
not thought while in King Rondo’s domains, 
gave the well-remembered gentle twitch, and 
the fairy voice spoke : 

As thou hast said, no bridge indeed. 

Thy little friend shall aid thy need. 

He’ll be thy steed as twice before, 

And this wide torrent take thee o’er.” 

As the voice ceased a change stole over 
Putzel. He seemed to swell to many times 
his usual size, and his natural proportions 
took on those of a fine strong sea-lion, with large 
intelligent eyes and fierce-looking tusks pro- 
truding from his mouth. He slid into the 
water and crowded against the river bank 
while Elsa seated herself upon his back, 
then he breasted the swiftly running w'ater, 
and made for the opposite shore. 

As the white crested waves of the clear 
green water broke against the sea-lion’s 
chest, he uttered roars of delight and gam- 
244 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


boiled as he went. Elsa knew he was en- 
joying the swim, and dared not speak to 
him for fear of interfering with the magic 
spell. So soon as the opposite shore was 
reached, the sea-lion disappeared and little 
black-nosed Putzel took his place. 

The two wanderers continued on their 
way, and at last stood at the foot of the 
snow-capped mountains, above which the 
Polar star shone. As Elsa gazed at the 
steep and rough mountain-sides, the deep 
crevices of which were filled with huge snow- 
drifts, her courage gave way. 

^^It is impossible for us to cross those 
dreary mountains, Putzel, we should die 
of cold and exhaustion. We can never 
do it!’^ 

Evidently Putzel was of the same mind, 
for a more disconsolate little dog it would 
be hard to find, as he stood shivering before 
the mountain range. Then again the fairy 
cord twitched, and the fairy voice said : 

245 


THE DIAMOND KING 


“ Do not despair, and thou wilt see 
How easy /twill be made for thee. 

Thy faithful friend shall be the guide 
That takes thee up this mountain’s side.” 

Then Putzel began once more to grow 
and grow until he became a huge brown 
bear, and Elsa lost no time in climbing to 
his back. She nestled in his long, warm fur, 
and threw her arms about his shaggy neck, 
that she might not be thrown off. Then 
the bear began to crawl up the steep moun- 
tain-side, threading his way very cautiously, 
lest his precious burden should be displaced. 
Long and wearisome was the journey up 
the steep path, and the bear paused many 
times to take breath and to pick out safe 
resting places for his broad flat feet. At 
times stones and gravel were dislodged and 
crashed down the mountain with loud reports, 
and again deep snow-drifts must be waded 
through, but the faithful bear plodded pa- 
tiently on and at last stood on the summit. 
246 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


Then the bear dwindled into the familiar 
shape of little Putzel, and both the travellers 
stood transfixed with surprise and admiration 
at what met their eyes. 

A lovely valley lay before them, surrounded 
by snow-capped mountains that seemed as if 
intended to protect it from all intrusion. Over 
all was a beautiful rosy glow, as if it were 
reflected from the rosy peaks of the lofty 
mountains. Lakes, rivers, beautiful groves, 
and smooth meadows, all were bathed in 
the soft red light, while before them blazed 
the bright Polar star. Remembering King 
Rondo^s directions, Elsa fixed her eyes 
upon the shining star and repeated the 
verse : 


^‘Mighty Little Man in Gray, 

Deign to show thy face I pray. 

By the light of yon bright star 
I have sought thee from afar. 
Grievous wrongs I have to tell, 
Thou alone canst break the spell.” 

247 


THE DIAMOND KING 


When Elsa ended and took her eyes from 
the star, before her stood a little gray man. 
Gray hat, gray clothes, gray beard, gray 
hair, and gray eyes had he, and his grave 
face looked kindly upon her. 

^^Thou hast summoned me, maiden,^^ he 
said in a grave, gentle voice. ^^What wouldst 
thou with me?^^ 

So astounded was Elsa at the sudden 
apparition, that seemed to have arisen out 
of the ground, that for a moment her tongue 
seemed glued to the roof of her mouth, and 
she gazed at the Little Gray Man without 
speaking. 

^^Well, maiden, hast thou naught to say 
to me?’’ asked the Little Gray Man with a 
serious smile. 

Then Elsa found her voice, and began an 
account of the unhappy children forced to 
work in the mines of the Diamond King. 
After she had once begun her story, all fear 
of the Little Gray Man vanished, and she 
248 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 

thought only of the unfortunate children 
and the cruel Diamond King. To all this 
the Little Gray Man listened seriously and 
attentively, and when she had ended her 
tale he asked gravely : 

^^Hast seen the Diamond King, maiden?^’ 
have never seen him,^’ replied Elsa, 
^^and I should dread to do so, for a being so 
cruel must not be pleasant to look upon.” 

“ Neither hast thou seen the children whom 
thou sayest are toiling in the diamond 
mines?” asked the Little Gray Man. 

^^No, I have not seen them,” answered 
Elsa, ^'but a little girl who was weeping for 
her brothers told me the tale.” 

We will visit together the diamond mines, 
and interview this cruel king,” said the Little 
Gray Man, ^^and if it proves to be as thou 
sayest, he shall be severely dealt with.” 

The Little Gray Man stooped to pluck a 
fragrant blossom that grew at his feet. Elsa 
had seen no flowers there before he had 
249 


THE DIAMOND KING 


appeared, but now they clustered about him 
in profusion. 

^^Shut thine eyes, maiden,’’ he said, pre- 
senting the flower to Elsa, ^^and breathe the 
perfume of this blossom. When thou openest 
them again, they will look upon the domains 
of the Diamond King. Fear not, I shall be 
with thee.” 

Then Elsa took the flower, and ever mindful 
of her beloved Putzel, took him under one 
arm. Closing her eyes and holding the flower 
before her nose, she inhaled the delicious odor 
and at once felt conscious of a dreamy languor. 
It seemed but a second before she heard the 
voice of the Little Gray Man saying: 

^^Ope thine eyes, maiden, and look upon 
the domains of the Diamond King!” 

Elsa did as she was told and looked about 
her. So did Putzel also, and his look was 
as if he had come upon some pleasant spot 
not new to him. As Elsa looked about her, a 
feeling that she had seen the apartment 
250 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


before came over her. No one was in sight, 
but near her stood a table laid out for one, 



Meanwhile the Little Gray Man regarded her 
with his grave smile. 

Suddenly the sound of joyous shouts and 
laughter arose upon the air, growing more 
251 


THE DIAMOND KING 


distinct as they reached her, and Elsa grew 
more bewildered still. 

^^The Diamond King approaches/^ said 
the Little Gray Man. 

At that moment the doors of the apart- 
ment were thrown wide open, and in ambled 
King Rondo, his round face more dimpled 
and rosy than ever, the troupe of children 
about him trying to get as near his royal 
person as possible. 

At sight of the Little Man in Gray, King 
Rondo came to a sudden halt, and the dimples 
disappeared from his chubby cheeks as if by 
magic. Gravely and reverentially he bent 
before the Little Gray Man, and remained 
before him with bowed head. 

“Why,^^ stammered Elsa, ^Hhis is King 
Rondo ! It is the Diamond King who is 
so cruel.’^ 

“King Rondo and the Diamond King are 
one,^’ replied the Little Gray Man, with a 
kindly smile. 


252 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


^^How can it be?” asked Elsa. ''King 
Rondo is the dearest, best tempered monarch 
that ever lived, and these children love him so 
dearly that they are not willing to leave him. 
Why, I myself wanted to stay with him!” 

"Yet he is the Diamond King, and there 
are the children he is said to have imprisoned 
against their will and compelled to work in 
his diamond mines.” 

"I cannot understand it,” cried Elsa, "and 
the little girl who told me about it seemed 
so unhappy!” 

"It is not well to believe all we hear,” 
replied the Little Man in Gray. "We must 
see and judge for ourselves.” 

"Perchance,” suggested King Rondo, dim- 
ples coming into his cheeks once more, " the 
little maid was grieving because she could 
not come hither.” 

"That must be so,” said Elsa laughing. 
Whereupon all the children fell a-laughing, 
but King Rondo laughed louder than all. At 
253 


THE DIAMOND KING 


the same moment a report like distant thun- 
der was heard and the castle walls shook. 

^^Tis the laugh of the giant Mountain- 
strider/’ said the grave voice of the Little 
Gray Man, ^^good news must have reached 
him.’’ 

Another peal of the giant’s laughter was 
heard, and this time it was so loud and long 
that Elsa gave a great start. She looked about 
her in bewilderment, for gone was the Little 
Gray Man, King Rondo, and the troupe of 
children. She was lying in her own little 
bed, and Putzel was gently tapping her head 
with his paw to wake her up. 

“How did I manage to get back to bed, 
I wonder!” said Elsa. And it continued to 
be a matter of wonderment to her. When 
her mother told her that she had been asleep 
and dreamed of her journey to Fairyland, 
she thought she must be mistaken, for how 
was it possible for her to dream so much 
in one short night? Putzel, too, evidently 
254 


ELSA CONFRONTS THE DIAMOND KING 


agreed with his little mistress, for he looked 
very knowing whenever she talked about 



^^and that is, that St. Nicholas is in America 
just as much as he is in Germany, for I have 
seen him here; and if American children 
would watch for him as the German children 
do, they would see him too.” 

255 






• • 



Stories of Nature and Animals 

By Lily F. Wesselhoeft 


Madam Mary of the Zoo. Illustrated. lamo. $1.25 

The story of a parrot and the animals in a big zoological garden. 
Since Kipling’s “Jungle Stories” there has been nothing written of 
animals or birds that will appeal more strongly to the younger 
generation. — Dennjer Republican. 

Doris and Her Dog Rodney, illustrated. lamo. $1.50 

Readable and entertaining from beginning to end. Amusing and 
suggestive incidents run all through the story in relation to the dogs, 
the cats, the hens, and their connections with the affairs of their 
owners. — The Beacon. 

Torpeanuts the Tomboy. illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 
A sweet, fresh, and pleasant picture of work and play on a farm. — 
Literary World. 

The Winds, the Woods, and the Wanderer 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 

Full of dramatic scenes and stirring adventures among the Indians. 
— Literary World. 

Foxy, the Faithful. Illustrated. i2mo. $1.50 

We doubt if any child could listen to it without becoming imbued 
with the desire to become the protector of the creatures that need 
help. Full of fun and animation. — Woman's Journal. 

Jack, the Fire-Dog Illustrated. i2mo. $1.25 

The story of a w'onderful dog who lived in the fire-engine house, 
went to all the fires, and saved a little blind boy’s life by his sense of 
smell. — Chicago Record-Herald. 

Ready the Reliable Illustrated. i2mo. $1.50 

This capital story tells of a little family of children and the stray 
dog they befriended. — Louis<ville Courier-Journal. 

The Diamond King and the Little Man in Gray. 

Illustrated. i2mo. $1.50 


LITTLE, BROWN, & CO. . Publishers 

254 Washington Street . Boston, Mass. 


Stories of Nature and Animals 

By Lily F. Wesselhoeft 


Sparrow the Tramp 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 
A fresh and lively story. . . . The sparrow was a most useful 
messenger, free to go anywhere and carry messages from the horse in 
his stable to the parrot in her cage. — Mail and Express. 

Flipwing the Spy 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. r6mo. $1.25 
Even adds new charms to the animal story. — The Cricir. 

A story to be enjoyed by every child. ... It inspires the reader 
with the warmest good-will toward all kind, dumb things. — Boston 
Transcript. 

Frowzle the Runaway 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 
A more delightful story can hardly be imagined. . . . Frowzle, 
the mongrel, is the leading character in this comically charming drama. 

. . . The story as a whole is made up of numerous adventures about 
the house and yard and in the street. — Boston Courier. 

Jerry the Blunderer 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 
It would be hard to imagine a child who did not love this little 
book, and who would not return to it again and again, to live among 
familiar friends. — Philadelphia Public Ledger. 

Old Rough the Miser 

A Fable for Children. Illustrated. i6mo. $1.25 
This fascinating story begins, “ Once upon a time there lived on a 
large farm, a crow, a water-rat, an owl, a frog, and a weasel.” 


High School Days in Harbortown 

Illustrated. i2mo. $1.50 


LITTLE, BROWN, & CO. • Publishers 

454 Washington Street • Boston, Mass. 




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